Queensland Police Union Wants to Buy Wieambilla Property to Make Memorial

The Queensland Police Union is planning to buy the Wieambilla property, where two officers and a neighbor died in December 2022. They want to turn it into a police training center or a memorial.
By Newsroom | Law Enforcement, Queensland |

The Queensland Police Union is taking steps to acquire the rural property where two police officers and a neighbor were fatally shot in December 2022. The union's goal is to transform the site into a police training or retreat center, ensuring the location is not used to promote what it describes as "warped views." This move comes amidst ongoing discussions with the Queensland government and follows a period of intense public attention and official investigation into the events that transpired. The proposed purchase aims to honor the fallen officers and create a lasting memorial, while also considering the future use of a property marked by a profound tragedy.

Queensland police shooting: Magazine and gun safe revealed as notorious murder property is listed for sale - 1

Background to the Wieambilla Incident

On December 12, 2022, Constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, were fatally shot while attending a property on Wains Road in Wieambilla, Queensland. They had gone to investigate the disappearance of Nathaniel Train, a former school principal. As they approached the residence, they were ambushed and shot. Neighbor Alan Dare, who responded to the unfolding events, was also killed. A six-hour standoff ensued, during which tactical police officers engaged with the occupants of the property, resulting in the deaths of Gareth Train, Stacey Train, and Nathaniel Train.

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  • Four officers initially responded to the property.

  • Constables Arnold and McCrow were killed upon arrival.

  • Neighbor Alan Dare was also fatally shot.

  • The Train family occupants were later killed in a firefight with specialist police.

  • Six people died in total: two police officers, one civilian neighbor, and the three occupants of the property.

Proposed Property Acquisition by the Queensland Police Union

Following the deadly incident, the Queensland Police Union (QPU) expressed a strong interest in purchasing the Wieambilla property. Union boss Ian Leavers has been a prominent voice in these discussions, engaging with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Police Minister Mark Ryan.

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  • The QPU aims to acquire the 43.5-hectare property.

  • Plans include repurposing the land for a police training ground or a retreat.

  • A memorial for Constables Arnold and McCrow is also envisioned for the site.

  • The union intends to pay market price for the property.

  • This initiative is partly driven by a desire to prevent the property from falling into the hands of individuals holding "conspiracy theorist" views, as stated by Leavers.

"The Queensland Police Union may buy the property to turn it into a training centre… Union boss says he doesn't want to see it fall into hands of conspiracy theorists." (Article 1)

Evidence of Occupants' Views and the Incident

Investigations and an upcoming inquest aim to clarify the motivations and circumstances surrounding the attack. Evidence suggests the Train family held anti-government sentiments, possibly influenced by their stance on COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

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  • Gareth Train and Stacey Train had reportedly lost their jobs for refusing COVID-19 vaccine mandates, which may have hardened their anti-government views. (Article 7)

  • The trio is believed to have subscribed to a form of premillennialism. (Article 7)

  • Nathaniel Train's wife indicated that Nathaniel owned guns and that Gareth and Stacey possessed a gun safe and weapon licenses. (Article 7)

  • The occupants were described as "conspiracy theorists." (Article 6)

  • A chilling video was posted on YouTube by Gareth and Stacey after the killings. (Article 3)

  • Six firearms, three compound bows, and knives were found at the property. (Article 7)

  • Emails, including some from Nathaniel Train's wife, may have alerted Queensland officers to potential dangers but were not passed on by NSW police. (Article 5)

Official Investigations and Coronial Inquest

The events at Wieambilla have prompted significant official scrutiny, including a coronial inquest to determine the precise sequence of events and potential systemic issues.

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  • An inquest is scheduled to examine what happened on December 12, 2022. (Article 3)

  • The inquest will consider factors such as police training, equipment, and the lawful acquisition of the six firearms used. (Article 3)

  • Coroner Brenda Wall's findings in November 2025 stated the Wieambilla shooting was not an act of religious terrorism, though she noted the attackers subscribed to certain beliefs. (Article 5)

  • The findings also included recommendations to improve police safety, such as providing more drones for risk assessments in remote areas. (Article 5)

  • Fourteen parties, including the NSW Police Commissioner, are expected to be represented at the inquest. (Article 3)

Police Safety and Preparedness

The incident has also led to broader discussions about police safety and operational protocols in Queensland and Australia.

  • QPU President Shane Prior has stated that policing is becoming increasingly dangerous. (Article 9)

  • Recommendations have been made regarding the provision of more drones for remote and rural police to aid in risk assessments. (Article 5)

  • The police force is examining its training and equipment adequacy in light of the attack. (Article 3)

Conclusion and Future Implications

The Queensland Police Union's endeavor to acquire the Wieambilla property signifies a desire to reclaim and repurpose a site associated with immense loss. The move underscores the union's commitment to supporting its officers and ensuring that such tragic events serve as catalysts for improved safety measures and remembrance. The upcoming coronial inquest will be critical in providing a comprehensive account of the incident and informing any future policy adjustments within the Queensland Police Service. The property's future use, whether as a training center or memorial, will be closely watched as a symbol of resilience and a dedication to the memory of those who lost their lives.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the Queensland Police Union want to buy the Wieambilla property?
The Queensland Police Union wants to buy the Wieambilla property where two police officers and a neighbor were killed in December 2022. They plan to turn it into a police training center or a memorial site.
Q: What happened at the Wieambilla property on December 12, 2022?
On December 12, 2022, Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow were shot and killed when they went to the Wieambilla property. Neighbor Alan Dare was also killed. A standoff followed, resulting in the deaths of the property's occupants.
Q: What are the plans for the Wieambilla property if the union buys it?
If the Queensland Police Union buys the 43.5-hectare property, they want to use it for police training or as a retreat. They also want to create a memorial for the fallen officers.
Q: Why does the union want to prevent others from buying the Wieambilla property?
The union boss stated they want to buy the property to stop it from being used to promote 'warped views' or by people with 'conspiracy theorist' beliefs.
Q: What is the current status of the investigation into the Wieambilla shootings?
A coronial inquest is scheduled to examine the events of December 12, 2022. The inquest will look into police training, equipment, and the circumstances of the attack. A coroner previously found it was not an act of religious terrorism.