The Federal Labor Government has cut $50 million from the Safer Communities Fund, a program used by the previous Government to deliver CCTV cameras in the Redlands.
The Safer Communities Fund was created by the Coalition Government following the horrific 2019 Christchurch Mosque attacks that lead to the loss of 51 lives. The program’s design was to assist communities to feel safe by reducing crime and addressing anti-social behaviour.
Member for Bowman, Henry Pike said that “whilst the grants were open to places of worship it was also available to and heavily utilised by local government for CCTV, security gates, lighting, bollards and security guards.”
“The Liberal and Nationals Government utilised the fund the deliver some much needed CCTV cameras around the Redlands and I was hoping to utilise it to continue to deliver even more.”
Redland City Council was the beneficiary of two grants totalling over $110,000. The funding provided for 31 CCTV cameras across known trouble spots at Capalaba Place and the Weinam Creek ferry terminal and carpark at Redland Bay.
“Since their introduction, Weinam Creek has seen a reduction in auto crimes and anti-social behaviour,” Mr Pike said.
“Many Bay Island residents have reported to me that they now feel a lot safer late at night as they park their cars and await their ferries.”
These CCTV initiatives were the result of collaboration between Council, Police, and the State and Federal Governments. Through local business input and community feedback they identified known trouble spots where the cameras could be most effective.
“I was hoping to utilise this funding to help deliver new CCTV cameras at Cleveland Point and other local hooning hotspots,” Mr Pike said.
“I am calling on the Albanese Labor Government to reverse this decision and restore the funding that has served our community so well.”
The Liberal and Nationals Government had committed to invest $175,000 to deliver CCTV cameras at hooning hotspots around Cleveland Point during the recent federal election.