ACTUAL strength of the Coolangatta Police Division has fallen by eight, says Queensland Police Minister Neil Roberts.

Mr Roberts while responding to questions by Currumbin MP Jann Stuckey about vacancies on November 1, this year, said "approved police strength was 34 positions and the actual police strength was 31 officers".

"At February 1, 2010, the approved police strength of Coolangatta Police Division was 34 positions and the actual police strength 39 officers.

"Then at September 1, 2011, the approved strength was 34 positions and the actual strength 33 officers," he said.

Ms Stuckey said the answer "revealed an entrenched culture of understaffing at the Coolangata Police station".

"In his response, the Police Minister admitted that Coolangatta has an approved (budgeted) strength of 34 police, however as at November 1 2011, there were only 31 officers staffing the station.

"These vacancies are expected to be filled by 'lateral transfers' of existing police officers, with one position still yet to be advertised."

Yet Mr Roberts disagreed with Ms Stuckey and said on November 1, this year, approved police strength was 34 positions.

He also said the difference in actual strengths between February 2010 and September this year related to a lack of first year constables.

"At February 1, 2010, there were seven first-year constables allocated while at September 1, 2011 there were only two.

"The remaining difference is attributable to the movement of an officer on promotion or transfer, or natural attrition."

Ms Stuckey said Coolangatta was a major southern Gold Coast tourist hub that was home to an airport which handles 5,000,000 passengers annually.

"The current police levels do not reflect this huge influx of tourists, not to mention the streams of revellers who venture across the border into Coolangatta on Friday and Saturday nights.

"Police in this electorate are always being 'borrowed' or used for major events elsewhere on the Gold Coast - leaving our area understaffed and at potential risk.

"Here we are days out from Christmas, the peak holiday season, and we don't have enough police."

Mr Roberts said two police officers were being transferred to Coolangatta "as soon as possible".

"The remaining vacant position will also be advertised within the (Queensland Police Service) as a lateral transfer opportunity for existing officers."