$2 million package for community safety and security: Fraser

7 March 2007

$2 million package for community safety and security: Fraser

Busy pathways will be illuminated and surveillance cameras will be installed in known metropolitan and regional trouble spots in a statewide security overhaul designed to increase the public safety of all Queenslanders.

Local Government and Planning Minister Andrew Fraser today announced the funding boost under the Security Improvement Program (SIP) which will see 31 councils across Queensland receive subsidies totalling almost $2 million toward public safety and security initiatives.

“All Queenslanders have a fundamental right to feel and to be safe in their communities and the State Government is committed to helping councils improve safety and security in their regions,” Mr Fraser said.

“The Security Improvement Program assists councils put in place the measures to achieve just that – to install the equipment needed to help reduce crime in public places and to ensure local communities remain safe and secure.

“In many ways this is a vital program – an important program – which goes a long way to helping councils improve safety for ratepayers and for visitors to their communities.”

In this latest round of SIP funding, key projects include:

• $203,000 to improve CCTV surveillance and security lighting in Cairns
• $176,000 for street lighting in the foreshore and parks along the Mooloolaba Spit
• $118,193 to install eight CCTV cameras in the Townsville CBD
• $88,480 for security lighting throughout LagunaPark at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast
• $120,000 for eight CCTV cameras in Ipswich’s Brisbane Street precinct

“Increasingly, CCTV surveillance has become a necessary component of street safety in our key cities and larger towns.

“Surveillance systems allow a more rapid response to anti-social behaviour like vandalism and alcohol-related violence and they also provide police with a critical tool for use in their investigations.

“Additionally, installation of security lighting in parks and public spaces not only improves visibility for people in those areas after dark but can also reduce the risk of assault and property crime and substance abuse.”

Mr Fraser said councils nominated the projects and could apply for government subsidies of up to 60 per cent of the costs of improving public security.

Media Contact: Chris Taylor 3227 8825 or 0419 710 874