Rodney Stevens

A lack of qualified security guards in the Clarence Valley has hampered the efforts of licensed premises to provide safe and successful summer holiday entertainment events for several years.

Enquiries by the Clarence Valley Independent found three companies listed in the valley under security guards, Maclean Yamba Security Services, Coastal Security Protection and Valley Protective Services and Event Hire.

Lower Clarence Liquor Accord President Chris Durrington said the lack of qualified security guards was a regular topic of conversation at Accord meetings and both Chris Gulaptis and local police had tried to improve the situation.

“It’s been a problem since Covid started because a lot of people left the industry, they realised they didn’t have to work nights,” he said.

“We’ve talked about the lack of security for years, the local member Chris Gulaptis went to parliament and tried to do something about it and so have the local police.

“Last year we had emergency liquor accord meetings because everyone had functions planned, bands and stuff, and the licensing police said if it’s on your licence that you need security, then you need security to run the event.”

Mr Durrington said this resulted in Yamba Golf Club and Brooms Head Bowling Club having to cancel events booked last year as they couldn’t get the security needed.

He said the Golf Club enquired with five security companies from across the Northern Rivers and couldn’t get security to provide entertainment over this Christmas and New Year period.

“There’s just not enough trained security guards willing to work in the industry locally,” he said.

“A lot of businesses just didn’t bother trying to organise entertainment events over the holidays this year because they know how hard it is to get security.

“It’s a huge hit to businesses because New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest nights of the year.”

Yamba Shores Tavern owner Matt Muir said the venue had struggled to get security for live gigs, which got worse post Covid, and this was one reason the number of live gigs had been scaled back.

“We have changed our business model to focus on what our strengths and skills are and that’s focusing on families and people looking for a night out without the loud noise that entertainment brings,” he said.

“We’ll do live music and we’ll do it when we can but it won’t be every Friday and Saturday night.”

The lack of qualified security guards is also a problem for the security industry.

Coastal Security Protection owner Matt Wheatley said a lack of qualified security guards who are willing to work was holding back his business from expanding.

“I would like to go for other contracts but I need to get the staff to be able to take on the extra work and I just can’t get guards that are willing to work,” he said.

When Covid hit, Mr Wheatley said and the government temporarily increased unemployment benefits and some people left the industry, or found other careers.

“I’ve been in the security industry for 10 years and now, more than ever, there are not as many quality security guards around as there were a few years back,” he said.

“Since starting my own business I have had trouble finding good guards to work for me.

“I even went to Tursa and they didn’t have anyone they could recommend.

“I know a lot of people that have still got their security licences, they just don’t want to work in the industry anymore.”