April 12, 2012
The Coalition Government has awarded funding to Latrobe City Council to enhance local crime prevention measures, as part of the Government’s Public Safety Infrastructure Fund grants.
Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe today said $117,000 will be provided to install eight CCTV cameras at key locations within Traralgon’s entertainment precinct to help deter crime and reduce anti-social behaviour.
“This will help to improve community confidence in the safety of the area,” said Mr Northe.
“The installation of CCTV will complement associated safety initiatives implemented by the Traralgon CBD Safety Committee and its partners.
“The CBD safety committee which comprises of organisations such as Victoria Police, Latrobe City Council, licence and venue operators, Traralgon taxis, LV Bus Lines, and local businesses were very supportive of application and are pleased that it has been delivered to the community.
“Unfortunately there is a need for this sort of technology in this day and age, and hopefully it will aid local police in deterring crime, and make a difference in providing a feeling of security for local residents.”
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has been highlighting the need to support community safety initiatives to both State and Federal Governments.
He has actively advocated on behalf of the Traralgon CBD Safety Committee and has welcomed the State Government’s commitment to improving community safety in Traralgon.
“The Traralgon CBD Safety Committee is to be commended for its hard work to improve safety on local streets at night,” Mr Chester said.
“My community survey which was conducted late last year showed only 38 per cent of local residents felt safe in the community at night. While local police do a fantastic job they cannot be everywhere at once and it’s imperative that we assist them in any way we can.
“It is pleasing that the State Government has provided funding to support the expansion of the CCTV network in Traralgon to tackle anti-social behavior.
“I’ll be continuing to work with community safety groups to push the case for funding from the Federal Government to complement the support of the State Government so that the strategies that are devised for the region can be implemented.”
Latrobe City Councillor and Chair of the Traralgon CBD Safety Committee, Dale Harriman, said that he welcomed the announcement of the funding and he was grateful for the support of the state government.
“The funding will enable coverage across an extensive area in addition to the four cameras already situated near the two taxi ranks. There will be greater security for patrons, particularly at night. As well as acting as a deterrent to antisocial behaviour, the cameras may also enable police to act quickly and effectively before any serious incidents or offences occur as well as enabling them to use footage in court if required.
“The installation of additional CCTV complements an ongoing range of initiatives and improvements to public safety in the Traralgon CBD put in place and monitored by the Traralgon CBD Safety Committee,” Cr Harriman said.
The Public Safety Infrastructure Fund grants are part of the Coalition Government’s $39 million Community Crime Prevention Program. This sum includes funding for community safety measures and graffiti removal programs across Victoria.
Information on the Community Crime Prevention Program, including details of all the successful Public Safety Infrastructure Fund projects, can be found at www.justice.vic.gov.au/communitycrimeprevention