By Matthew Sims
Cardinia locals have listed crime, alcohol, other drugs, and road and pedestrian safety, as among their top safety concerns.
The issues, specifically property crime and crimes against people, as well as mental health and natural hazards and disasters, informed the council’s first Community Safety Framework, which would aim to ensure the community is a safer place to live, work and play.
At its meeting on Monday 18 March, councillors passed a motion to endorse the framework.
The process of developing the document included researching community safety trends and areas of concern across the state and Cardinia, analysing how incoming community safety reports and requests are prioritised and allocated to internal departments, and undertaking consultation with internal and external stakeholders, including community members.
Sitting alongside the Liveability Plan and Community Safety Action Agenda, the framework would aim to provide a detailed system and process for the council to collectively address community safety concerns.
Ranges Ward councillor Jeff Springfield said the council was stepping beyond its usual remit to create the framework.
“Crime and prevention is not a core process of council,“ he said.
“It is so important for our community to feel safe and included everywhere.
“Doing our bit within the community to help improve community safety is so important.“
The framework included factors to consider when considering community safety issues, including gender equality, cultural safety, universal access and design, intersectionality and crime prevention through environmental design.
Central Ward councillor Collin Ross said the framework aimed to incorporate members of all communities.
“We’ll be able to bring all the different groups together,“ he said.
“We do hear their concerns and we’re doing as much as we can on our end.
“I’m sure that there’ll be things added over time.“
During consultation held throughout the community, the top areas of concern were road and pedestrian safety, property crime, crimes against people, alcohol and other drugs, mental health and natural hazards and disasters.
Cardinia Shire mayor Jack Kowarzik was one of the major proponents of the framework.
“Safety always comes up in every conversation we have,“ he said.
“Community safety is of paramount importance.
“Cardinia Shire does take this very seriously.“
