Community safety has been one of the top issues that has been raised with me throughout this campaign. I live on Nott Street, just behind Bay Street, which is my local shopping and retail precinct. I have seen firsthand the ongoing deterioration of shops, safety and the streetscapes and how this is affecting our local community.

This evening, I participated in a safety forum covering the wards of Montague, Port Melbourne, South Melbourne and Albert Park.

Community conversations are a vital step in creating change, and it was encouraging to see genuine discussion, rather than attempts to stoke fear or downplay people’s personal safety experiences. Council should be working in partnership with our community and this forum demonstrated the potential goodwill that could exist between Council and our community to address safety.

It’s easy for candidates to talk about safety, but they actually need a plan combined with the ability to deliver action.

Community safety was a significant issue when I served on Maroondah Council as one of Victoria’s youngest independent Mayors and Councillors between 2005 and 2012.

The approach we developed encompassed early intervention, deterrence and enforcement which led to 70% decrease in crime around Main Street, Croydon and Ringwood.

I am committed to action that will improve community safety within Bay Street, across Montague Ward and throughout Port Phillip.

The actions I commit to are proven as they worked in both Ringwood and Croydon and will work again for us in Port Phillip:

Early intervention

Early intervention will manage situations before they become a greater issue, actions I will take include:

• A priority on community safety.
  Acknowledging community safety concerns is vital to addressing this issue. Currently, Council has diminished people’s lived experiences of safety issues. The incoming Council must ensure community safety is prioritised within the Council Plan.
• Formation of a partnership committee encompassing Council, Victoria Police, housing providers, health providers and social services.
  This committee would be modelled on the Maroondah Partners in Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee which linked relevant services to provide better access to housing and support services. Council would also harness this committee to help guide the allocation of police resources within Port Phillip.
• Working alongside the community.
  The community has firsthand knowledge of safety concerns, and Council should be working alongside the community to build the case for State government infrastructure, including policing, health and community facilities.

Deterrence

Deterring potential anti-social behaviour will improve our safety, actions I will undertake include:

• Better lighting along Bay Street and other locations.
  Better lighting makes people safer, both through improving perceptions and through increased visibility which in turn deters criminal acts. Bay Street is a significant shopping precinct and should have improved lighting to increase personal safety.
• Bay Street beautification works
  Bay Street has a deteriorated streetscape that is letting down our traders and our community. This lack of amenity contributes to the number of vacant shops and a lack of safety. Street maintenance, plantings and other projects will uplift the street and community confidence. Pop up shops could also bring traders back into Bay Street.
• Permanent CCTV cameras
  The presence of permanent CCTV cameras acts as a deterrent and is urgently required around Bay Street. These cameras would cover the street and complement security undertaken by traders.

Enforcement

Enforcement is required when crime occurs, Council needs to support enforcement action when required. I will commit to undertaking:

• Repeal clauses in council local laws that prevent “move on” powers (eg s42)
  Council’s current local laws restrict the ability to move people on if they engage in anti-social behaviour. These laws need to be repealed so action can be taken when required.
• Introducing anti-hoon council laws
  Several councils have successfully introduced local laws that address hooning and excessive engine noise. Noise cameras will council laws that enforce penalties if hooning occurs. Several councils in the outer suburbs of Melbourne have introduced similar laws and seen a positive impact.
• Advocating for a permanent policing presence in Port Melbourne and Fishermans Bend
  Port Melbourne and Fishermans Bend need a permanent police presence and Council should be advocating to the State Government for more police resourcing.

Combined, these measures will link services to people that need support, improve community safety and ensure adequate enforcement if criminal acts are undertaken.

I improved safety within Maroondah and will do the same for Port Phillip.