DOUGLAS Shire residents and businesses will welcome greater community safety and crime prevention when new CCTV cameras and lighting are installed in central Mossman, says Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch.
Mr Entsch and the Minister for Justice, Michael Keenan, have today announced that the funding agreement with Douglas Shire Council for the CCTV community safety project in Mossman has been executed and the project is ready to go ahead.
Mr Entsch said Council will receive $34,271 under Safer Streets Round Two to install two CCTV cameras on the exterior of Mossman Library and Mossman Shire Hall on Mill Street to provide coverage of the Mill Street donation bins and Pinjarra Place.
Two light poles and lights and three additional CCTV cameras will be installed at George Davis Park to provide coverage of the skate park, the play area and the approach to the toilet blocks.
“This is a great project that Douglas Shire Council has put forward and I congratulate them for being successful under the Safer Streets program,” Mr Entsch said.
“The lights and CCTV will help people feel safer as they go about their business, reduce criminal activity and anti-social behaviour and assist police to apprehend those responsible for crime in the community.
“It’s also about building local pride and ownership of George Davis Park and the Mill Street area – both of which are important community hubs and areas that families visit daily.”
Mr Entsch said that with the funding delivered, construction can start in February. Council is providing a $5227 in-kind contribution and the project is due to be completed by August 2017.
The Mayor of Douglas Shire Council, Julia Leu, welcomed the announcement today.
“This is fantastic news for Mossman, as unfortunately in recent times we have experienced some anti-social behaviour,” she said.
“The additional lighting and CCTV is ideally targeted and will give greater confidence for both locals and visitors to feel safe while enjoying our streets and wonderful parklands.”
Minister Keenan said the best way to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour is to prevent it from happening.
“All Australians have the right to feel safe and secure in their community,” he said.
“Most importantly though, these funds are from the Proceeds of Crime Account – that is money taken from criminals and reinvested into preventing more crimes.
“Our Government is delivering on its commitment to assist communities to deliver local solutions to crime hot-spots and anti-social behaviour,” Mr Keenan ended.
Further information on the Safer Streets Programme is available at www.ag.gov.au