Council putting safety first

RESIDENTS in Cardinia are being asked to voice their safety concerns in the lead up to a council-first initiative which is designed to enhance community welfare.
Cardinia Shire Council is working toward accreditation as a World Health Organise (WHO) International Safe Community.
Council Resilience and Recovery co-ordinator David Lane said the council seeks to gain accreditation within the next two years, but it won’t happen without the community’s input.
“It’s not just about crime prevention. It’s about safety promotion, injury reduction, mental health, school and community engagement,” Mr Lane said.
Currently, the council is gathering data – including crime statistics and ambulance admission rates – to build an understanding about the safety issues currently faced by Cardinia residents.
The initiative, which has Victorian Police support, has already reached out to various groups in the community including seniors, kindergarteners and people from culturally and linguistically different (CALD) backgrounds during its information collection phase.
Public consultation events will be held on Tuesday 22 September from 6.30pm to 8pm at Pakenham Library and on Tuesday 13 October from 6.30pm to 8pm at Beaconsfield Neighbourhood Centre at 8 O’Neil Road, Beaconsfield.
The safety survey is available on the council’s Have Your Say web page until 5pm Saturday 31 October.
For more information about the initiative, contact the council’s Safer Communities Project Officer on 1300 787 624 or on mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au.