Webb St safety: state government, council spend $405,000 on lights

A ONCE “seedy” Narre Warren shopping precinct plagued by junkies in the toilet block, vandals, graffiti has been transformed with the help of a little cash from the government and council.

THE once “seedy” Webb St village shopping area in Narre Warren has been transformed with measures to prevent crime and make people feel safe.

To combat complaints of drug use, graffiti and anti-social behaviour the State Government and Casey council spent $405,000 on security measures including extra lighting and new toilets, along with landscaping work and additional seats.

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The old toilet block had been “inhabited by junkies”, according to local trader Richard Edwards who is also the treasurer of the Narre Warren Region Business Group.

“It is great money has been spent cleaning up the area, improving lighting and making the area user friendly,” he said.

Traders including Ross Neilson raised concerns about safety and the need for improvements at Webb St in 2015. Picture: Susan Windmiller

Another trader and business group vice-president Tara Angelone said the area had become “seedy”, especially since the closure of a gym left a large building vacant attracting undesirable people who caught the nearby train.

“Now it’s more inviting, lighter and vibrant,” she said.

Leading Senior Constable Frank Bailey from the Casey Proactive Unit said the project was based on crime prevention through environmental design principles.

Graffiti has long been an issue in Webb St. This photo of a vandalised Webb St bus shelter was taken in 2015. Picture: Susan Windmiller

He said when an area was clean and bright it encouraged families while discouraging undesirable people loitering “under the cover of darkness”.

Police Minister Lisa Neville, Roads Minister and Narre Warren North state Labor MP Luke Donnellan, and Narre Warren South state Labor MP Judith Graley, visited the village last week.

“With these improvements I’d like to see a Webb St Village Festival in the future … (to) celebrate our multicultural community in this new improved environment,” Ms Graley said.

Roads Minister and Narre Warren North state Labor MP Luke Donnellan, Police Minister Lisa Neville and Narre Warren South state Labor MP Judith Graley at Webb St. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Casey Mayor Geoff Ablett said anti-social behaviour in Webb St such as graffiti, alcohol consumption, public toilet misuse and damage to property, lights and signs had left local traders and residents with the perception their community wasn’t safe.

The state government provided $250,000 and the council $155,000 toward the project.

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