Operation Sandstorm – Sunshine and Cooloola Coast

Police have stepped up their efforts to crack down on beach hooning between Noosa North Shore and Cooloola as part of an ongoing operation focussed on ensuring the safety of visitors and preserving the local environment.

In July 2020 Operation Sandstorm was commenced, involving targeted beachside patrols of the popular tourist spots and increased enforcement activity.

With local tourism gradually returning to full capacity in late 2020 after the easing COVID restrictions, officers engaged in additional covert response tactics such as the deployment of drones to monitor driver behaviour.

Sunshine Coast Superintendent Craig Hawkins said people were still testing the limits of their vehicles on the beach despite one death at Teewah in the…