Minister for Justice, the Hon Michael Keenan MP and Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton today announced that grant applications for Round 2 of the Coalition Government’s Safer Streets Programme opened on 17 December 2015.
Round 2 of the Safer Streets Programme will invest up to $29.4 million in individual grants for local government organisations and eligible incorporated not-for-profit organisations, community groups, and chambers of commerce to implement community safety and crime prevention initiatives across Australia.
Mr Coulton said investment in security infrastructure at local crime hotspots would reduce fear of crime and contribute to greater community safety and resilience across his electorate of Parkes.
“I think it is very important for everyone to feel safe while walking around their local streets regardless of what town they live in or what time of day it is,” Mr Coulton said.
As the Federal Member representing one-third of rural and regional New South Wales, Mr Coulton is keen to hear from Western towns about any projects that could be eligible for funding under the Safer Streets Programme.
“I encourage potential applicants to contact my office to discuss their projects eligibility and to receive all submission details,” Mr Coulton said.
Mr Keenan said local Members play a key role in working with their community to boost community safety and identifying where there is a need for increased security infrastructure.
“Our Government firmly believes that all Australians have the right to feel safe and secure, and the Safer Streets Programme is one way we can achieve that,” Mr Keenan said.
“More than $19 million in funding has already been awarded under Round 1 of the Programme for projects across 150 locations to deliver security enhancements such as better lighting and CCTV in retail, entertainment and commercial precincts.
“Importantly, the Safer Streets Programme uses proceeds of crime, confiscated from criminals, to fund these local crime prevention projects. This means that the crimes of yesterday can help prevent the crimes of tomorrow.”
Further information on the Safer Streets Programme is available at www.ag.gov.au.
To apply, please visit https://www.ag.gov.au/CrimeAndCorruption/CrimePrevention/Pages/ProceedsofCrimeAct.aspx
Applications close 2pm on 17 February 2016.
Media contacts:
Emily Broadbent 0400 390 008 or Shannen Wilkinson 0476 820 816 (Minister Keenan)
Amy Welham 0448 477 830 (Mr Coulton)
