Michelle Landry promises CCTV to Sarina, Moranbah, Isaac in latest election commitment
In back to back pledges toward improving safety for regional towns, the Mackay region is set to net close to $400k to upgrade security and lighting in the CBD and Sarina.
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In another commitment to regional security, Dawson MP Andrew Willcox has pledged $200,000 to improve lighting in the Mackay CBD.
Mr Willcox said the new commitment would help keep the community safe around the CBD and waterfront areas with lighting upgrades promise for the Gregory St bus stop, Wood St car park at the corner of Victoria St and MacAlister St.
“What we’re trying to do is activate the CBD, see more people coming out and enjoying the fantastic restaurants,” Mr Willcox said.
“It’s a fantastic CBD and that way we can all enjoy it in a safe and friendly environment.”
Mackay mayor Greg Williamson welcomed the commitment and said the bus stop at Gregory St was a “dark spot area” where trouble happened.
“To have any extra funding thrown at this is an absolute good outcome for the region... this is something now that ratepayers don’t have to fund,” Mr Williamson said.
The Mackay council announced they had six priority projects on their wishlist for state and federal politicians including the Finch Hatton Mountain Bike Trails stage 2, Northern Beaches Traffic Improvements and the future stages of the Northern Beaches Community Hub.
When asked if the LNP had given any indication regarding commitments to the wishlist Mr Williamson said council was still hoping to receive indications from both the LNP and Labor ‘down the track’.
Mr Williamson said he’d spoken with Labor candidate Neil Wallace about election priorities and had discussed matched funding.
Mr Wallace was contacted for comment and asked if he would match the LNP commitment.
This comes after the LNP promised $317,000 to regional communities in Capricornia following an axeman’s rampage down main street.
Capricornia MP Michelle Landry said funding from the safer communities fund to Sarina and Isaac communities was a direct response to concerns from Capricornia residents about public safety.
“We’re responding with practical measures to help make public spaces safer for everyone,” Ms Landry said.
Mackay region deputy mayor Karen May said there had been a number of incidents in Sarina recently, not the least of which occurred in October when a man wielding an axe rampaged down main street.
A 44-year-old Mirani man was arrested after he terrorised the street with the weapon but not before he forced many locals to lock themselves in businesses.
“There’s been a number of shops where windows have been broken … just recently the front doors of the police station were smashed,” Ms May said.
“The ability to capture some of these crimes in action I think will enhance the police ability in bringing people to justice.”
The commitment will deliver $100,000 to install CCTV in the Sarina Town Centre, another $75,000 for cameras at the Sarina Field of Dreams and $12,000 for the Sarina Neighbourhood Centre.
Ms May said this was a great outcome and thanked Ms Landry for her consideration.
Ms May also highlighted Ms Landry’s $200,000 commitment to the Sarina Junior Rugby League Club after they lost their sports shed in January to a horror fire that tore through the building and sent a man in his 70s to hospital.
Club representative Aimee Korte said the entire club was not only grateful to Ms Landry for listening, but “taking real action to help our club”.
Ms May said she had not met with Labor’s candidate for Capricornia Emily Mawson, but said she would push to get a commitment from Labor to match the CCTV funding.
The Moranbah Town Centre will also receive $50,000 to install CCTV and a further $80,000 has been allocated to regional community facilities across Isaac.
Ms Mawson has been contacted for comment to ask if she would match the pledges.
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