THE Coalition Government has signed off on the first tranche of funding to help Cairns Regional Council update its outdated CCTV system, Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said today.
The 2014-15 Federal Budget includes funding under the Coalition Government’s Safer Streets Programme, where proceeds of crime will be directed to fund local crime prevention projects.
Today, Mr Entsch confirmed the Attorney-General’s Department had signed an agreement with Cairns Regional Council for the transfer of the first instalment of funds for the CCTV Intervention into Youth Crime project.
The first instalment is $200,000 out of a total $400,000 being provided by the Federal Government.
“Improving CCTV coverage has been viewed as a priority by Cairns Regional Council and local police,” said Mr Entsch. “The safety of locals and visitors in our city is paramount and CCTV has been proven to be effective in both discouraging violence and helping to catch offenders.
“Council’s current project involves upgrading the existing technology, expanding into suburban hot-spots, integrating the alarm system and relocating the control room to a more secure location.”
Minister for Justice Michael Keenan congratulated Warren Entsch on the hard work undertaken to secure the funding for local communities.
“Our Government committed to help local communities deliver effective local solutions to crime hot-spots and anti-social behaviour through the $50 million Safer Streets programme and we are delivering on that commitment in this Budget.
“All Australians have the right to feel safe and secure in their community and the Safer Streets Programme will help achieve that,” Mr Keenan said.
Further information on the Safer Streets Programme is available at www.ag.gov.au.
