Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England Barnaby Joyce announced the opening of grant applications for round two of the Coalition Government’s Safer Communities Fund program.
The Safer Communities Fund delivers on the Coalition’s ongoing commitment to keep Australians safe and secure.
Only safe communities can be strong and prosperous, and the best way to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour is to prevent it happening.
Local councils and community organisations are invited to apply through this open competitive round for funding for security enhancement projects, such as CCTV, bollards and lighting.
The Safer Communities Fund provides grants of up to $1 million for security infrastructure initiatives that address crime and anti-social behaviour, help reduce the fear of crime, increase feelings of safety, and contribute to the safety of communities that may be at risk of racial and/or religious intolerance.
Mr Joyce said investment in security infrastructure at local crime hotspots has already and would continue to reduce fear of crime and contribute to greater community safety and resilience across the New England.
“Things such as CCTV cameras have proven a vital security asset for locations around the New England including at Tamworth where the Oxley Local Area Command has used them to follow up a range of crimes in the area,” Mr Joyce said.
“Anything we can do to make our communities safer must be looked at.
“I encourage potential applicants to contact my office to discuss their projects’ eligibility, and to receive all submission details.”
Minister Keenan said local members play a key role in working with their community to boost community safety and identifying where there is a need for increased security infrastructure.
“Our Government firmly believes that all Australians have the right to feel safe and secure, and the Safer Communities Fund is one way we can achieve that,” Mr Keenan said.
“The Coalition has now committed more than $100 million to assist local communities in keeping our streets safe from crime and anti-social behaviour,” Mr Keenan said.
“We will continue to put funds towards projects that make our streets, communities, and our nation safer.”
Further information on the Safer Communities Fund is available on the Australian Government’s Safer Communities Fund website at business.gov.au/safer-communities-fund, or by calling 13 28 46. Applications close on 14 November 2017.
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