New team aims to make Tiaro a safer community

Tiaro is working to become a stronger and safer community through a new community safety program established between the Department of Communities and Tiaro Shire Council.

Communities Minister Warren Pitt said the formation of a Building Safer Communities Action Team (BSCAT) in Tiaro was a major 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 Tiaro BSCAT members was officially acknowledged today at the Ministerial Regional Community Forum in Tiaro. Team members were presented with certificates of achievement after the successful completion of their initial Department of Communities training.

Andrew McNamara – Member for Hervey Bay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, and chair of the Regional Queensland Council – praised the Tiaro BSCAT team.

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

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

The Tiaro BSCAT members are:

• Graeme Davis, secretary, Tiaro RSL
• Vickie Willcocks, community sector representative
• Andrew Brien, CEO, Tiaro Shire Council
• Diane Brown, district nurse, Queensland Health
• John Hall, instructor, State Emergency Services and Rural Fire Brigade
• Kara Peters, community development officer, Tiaro Shire Council
• Melanie Ryan, district crime prevention coordinator, Queensland Police Service
• Ruth McFie, senior support officer, Department of Communities
• Keith Bunkum, former member, State Emergency Service
• Sergeant Paul Rowling, officer-in-charge, Tiaro Police Station.

Media contacts: Minister’s Office 3235 4280
Mr McNamara’s Office 4124 1386