The Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England Barnaby Joyce announced a grant of more than $44,000 from Round Two of the Coalition’s Safer Streets Programme to fund closed-circuit television (CCTV) in the Gunnedah central business district.
He said the Safer Streets Programme supports communities at the grass roots to help address crime and anti-social behaviour, and boost crime prevention initiatives to keep our streets safe.
Under this funding commitment, the Gunnedah Shire Council will receive $44,582 for the installation of six CCTV cameras on Conadilly Street in the Gunnedah CBD.
Mr Joyce said he had obtained $500,000 in funding for the Tamworth Regional Council for its CCTV and this had paid great dividends.
“This funding allowed the TRC to buy CCTV units which had enabled it to prosecute graffiti vandals, hoon behaviour in cars and unauthorised rubbish dumping.
“I hope this announcement will provide a similar level of community assistance in Gunnedah.”
Submissions for Round Two of the Programme closed in early March this year.
Minister for Justice Michael Keenan said the funding is drawn from the Proceeds of Crime Account – that is money taken from criminals and reinvested into prevention of further crime.
“Only safe communities can be strong and prosperous, and the best way to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour is to prevent it from happening,” Mr Keenan said.
“The Coalition will continue to reinvest money confiscated from criminals and put them towards projects that make our streets and communities safer.
“I congratulate Barnaby Joyce for his ongoing lobbying efforts in Canberra to deliver for his communities back home, and to ensure this project became a reality for his constituents.”
In the first funding round, the Safer Streets Programme provided $19.5 million for specific projects for the installation of CCTV and lighting. This is the second round of funding which will be delivered in two streams.
The first stream will fund community safety infrastructure such as CCTV and lighting. CCTV is an effective crime prevention measure that provides significant deterrence to anti-social behaviour and is a valuable investigative tool. The second stream will deliver crime prevention initiatives by supporting the vital work of PCYC and Bluelight organisations.
Further information on the Safer Streets Programme is available at www.ag.gov.au