Mackay council passes on crime prevention funding

Queensland councils are passing on opportunities to access crime prevention funding, frustrating politicians and business owners dealing with break-ins and vandalism.

Local councils are passing on opportunities to access crime prevention funding, frustrating politicians and business owners dealing with break-ins and vandalism.

As break-ins and vandalism continue to hit local businesses, Mackay and Whitsunday councils have not applied for the latest round of crime prevention funding.

The Queensland Government’s $40m Secure Communities Partnership Program offers councils grants of up to $400,000 for safety and security infrastructure including CCTV, bollards, security lighting, and fencing.

But with applications closing on Friday, July 11, councils are missing their chance to cash in.

Mackay Regional Council has chosen to skip the current funding round entirely, saying any infrastructure council installed needed to be well thought-through and planned.

Director Planning, Growth and Sustainability Aletta Nugent said the Mackay Waterfront Place Strategy would be presented for adoption at the next council meeting to address this type of infrastructure, with the strategy containing “a series of vital actions around public safety”.

“If adopted by council, we will be pursuing all funding options to deliver that strategy, including future funding rounds of the Secure Communities Partnerships Program,” she said.

Nigel Dalton said there was no time to waste when it came to making business precincts safer.

The decision not to apply for this round of funding frustrated Mackay’s state MP Nigel Dalton, who pointed to recent break-ins at Buck & Todd Optometrist and Greenies Grocers, and vandalism on Evans Ave, as evidence that immediate action was needed.

“Small businesses in Mackay are already suffering from break-ins and vandalism,” he said.

“Waiting for the next round means missing an immediate opportunity to make our business precincts safer and more resilient.

“The funding is available now — there’s no time to waste.

“This is about using smart, evidence-based solutions to stop crime before it happens.”

Mackay council’s Ms Nugent added they already provide a number of grant opportunities for local businesses such as the City Safety Grant.

“This grant can help install lighting and CCTV outside small businesses in the City Centre,” she said.

Whitsunday Regional Council was also proceeding cautiously, with their economic development team investigating whether previous CCTV funding in Airlie Beach’s main street and foreshore means they could not apply for this round.

Originally published as Mackay council passes on crime prevention funding