New team aims to make Hervey Bay a safer community

Hervey Bay is set to become an even safer community, following the establishment of a community safety program between the Department of Communities and the Hervey Bay City Council.

Communities Minister Warren Pitt said the formation of a Building Safer Communities Action Team (BSCAT) in Hervey Bay was a significant step forward for the local community.

“BSCATs are comprised of local people, who develop local solutions to local crime and safety issues,” Mr Pitt said.

“Locally developed solutions are frequently the best solutions – which is why BSCATs have proven so effective at enhancing community safety.”

The commitment of Hervey Bay BSCAT members was officially acknowledged today, when they were presented with certificates of achievement following the successful completion of their initial Department of Communities training.

“The BSCAT members have undertaken a specially designed training course that focused on increasing their knowledge of community-based crime prevention,” Mr Pitt said.

“Armed with this information, BSCAT members will now identify local safety issues, then develop and implement a local action plan to address these issues.”

The Hervey Bay BSCAT members are:
• Ed Gibson – general manager, Hervey Bay Boat Club
• Pauline Laskowski – business owner, Retravision (Hervey Bay)
• Larry Bell – solicitor specialising in legal care for seniors
• Davena Munro – Indigenous consultant
• Joanne Lambden – director, Community and Environment, Hervey Bay City Council
• Maurine Gibson – manager, Community and Culture, Hervey Bay City Council
• Senior Sergeant Dan Willett – officer-in-charge, Hervey Bay Police Station
• Sergeant Nick Paton – officer-in-charge, Howard Police Station
• Mannly Dubroy – guidance officer, Urangan State High School
• Peter Nell – regional manager, Department of Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development
• Troy Sullivan – student chaplain, Urangan State High School
• Joyce Chorny – principal coordinator, Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre.

Media contact: Peter Nibbs 3235 4280