Member for New England Barnaby Joyce has announced nearly $1 million in funding to improve community safety of local residents with crime prevention and security infrastructure measures.

The funding has been committed under Round 2 of the Coalition’s Government’s $40 million Safer Communities Fund.

The Safer Communities Fund delivers on the Coalition’s ongoing commitment to keep Australians safe and secure.

“These grants include $956,000 to Tamworth Regional Council to expand the region’s fixed and mobile CCTV capabilities including provision of the technology to smaller townships and villages,” Mr Joyce said.

“We’re also providing $13,983 to Homes North Community Housing to install CCTV to improve safety around unit complexes.

“There is also a further $16,200 to improve the safety of pedestrians and business owners in the Merriwa central business district with CCTV cameras,” he said.

Mr Joyce said only safe communities can be strong and prosperous, and the best way to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour is to prevent it happening. 

The $40 million Safer Communities Fund consists of two streams. 

• Stream one will boost the efforts of identified local governments and community organisations to address crime and anti-social behaviour by funding crime prevention initiatives (such as fixed and mobile CCTV and lighting). 
• Stream two will boost efforts to protect schools, pre-schools and community organisations that are facing security risks associated with racial or religious intolerance.

The $40 million fund will build on the previous work the Coalition undertook during Government through the Safer Streets Programme and the Schools Security Programme.

Assistant Minister for Home Affairs, Alex Hawke, said the Coalition’s community safety record is solid.

“The Coalition has now committed more than $100 million purely to assist local communities in delivering strategies to address crime and anti-social behaviour,” Mr Hawke said.

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