Working towards a safer Cardinia
Key points
- Everyone deserves to feel safe at home, school, work or when in a public place, so they can participate fully in community life.
- Community safety is a leading priority for Council. We're committed to working in partnership with other agencies and organisations on this issue.
- Building a safe community requires a whole-of-community response.
- We hosted a community round table in February 2021 to discuss positive actions to create a safer Cardinia Shire.
- Council is calling on the Victorian Government to add policing resources to the growing Cardinia Shire area. Our population has grown by around 66% in the last 10 years and will continue to grow at a fast pace. More consideration to population should be given when planning for policing and emergency services resourcing.
Round table - February 2021
We held the ‘Building a Safer Cardinia’ round table on 8 February 2021 to:
- hear community leaders’ concerns about criminal activity
- to discuss positive actions to create a safer Cardinia Shire.
These talks helped shape the direction of the community safety report.
What we're advocating for
At the February 2021 Council meeting, Council adopted a community safety report that strengthens Council’s position for a safer Cardinia by:
- reiterating Council’s view that violence will not be tolerated in respect to all Cardinia Shire residents
- advocating for increased police resources for our growing shire including a request for specialist Victoria Police liaison officers in areas including:
- youth resources
- multicultural communities
- Aboriginal community liaison
- family violence
- mental health
- supporting the Victoria Police ‘Cardinia Police Connections’ program. The program encourages residents to advise police about any safety concerns and safety improvement ideas, and gives residents a greater voice in Victoria Police's ongoing efforts in creating a safer community
- advocating for more youth programs to be available in Cardinia Shire as a way of connecting with youth, increasing engagement, and decreasing disengagement and crime activity
- seeking community safety funding through a variety of grant opportunities
- increasing communications to the community on what makes for a safer community and how we can all work towards creating a safer Cardinia.
Questions?
Contact our Safer Communities Officer
Ph: 1300 787 624
Email: mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au