Funding for CCTV cameras for Belmore Park

Member for Hume Angus Taylor said the funding had been committed under Round Two of the Coalition’s $40 million Safer Communities Fund.

“Only safe communities can be strong and prosperous, and the best way to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour is to prevent it happening,” Mr Taylor said.

“This funding will be used to invest in high quality security surveillance technology to increase public safety in Belmore Park. Consultation with Hume Local Area Command has confirmed the need for more comprehensive, more reliable CCTV footage for crime prevention and investigation purposes.”

Mr Taylor said he would work with the council to apply for further Safer Communities Fund support when applications for Round Three open in the next few months. 

He said both he and the council had an application for CCTV cameras at the Adventure Playground in Victoria Park on the radar, following recent vandalism up there. 

“I’m sure we can put together a very compelling case for a similar CCTV camera system in Victoria Park, particularly now that the new Adventure Playground is there,” he said.

The Turnbull Government has allocated a further $30 million in the 2018-19 Budget to Round 3 of the Safer Communities Fund.

“All Australians have the right to feel safe and secure and the Safer Communities Fund is one way of achieving that,” Mr Taylor said.

“We will continue to put funds towards projects that make our streets, communities and our nation safer.”

The Safer Communities Fund is generally provided to local councils and community organisations to deliver local security infrastructure, such as fixed and mobile closed-circuit television (CCTV), lighting and crime prevention through environmental design.

“It is targeted at crime hot spots to prevent, deter and detect crime, as well as to protect community organisations that are facing security risks associated with racial or religious intolerance,” Mr Taylor said.

Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Bob Kirk said installation of the CCTV camera system would be a positive safety addition for the popular Belmore Park.

“Belmore Park is an iconic spot in Goulburn for both locals and visitors passing through our city,” Cr Kirk said.

“It is also a high traffic area during the evening on weekends and the addition of this high quality CCTV will help us ensure public safety in this busy space. I’d like to thank Angus and the Federal Government for their ongoing efforts with the Safer Communities Fund.”

More information on how to apply for funding will be available at https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/safer-communities-fund