Michael Sukkar MP

Delivering Safer Streets for Deakin

Federal Member for Deakin Michael Sukkar has today announced $435,000 from Round Two of the Coalition’s Safer Streets Programme to fund closed-circuit television (CCTV) at the Croydon Town Centre.

The Safer Streets Programme supports communities at the grass roots to help address crime and anti-social behaviour, and boost crime prevention initiatives to keep our streets safe.

Mr Sukkar was joined by the Minister for Justice Michael Keenan in Croydon today to make the announcement.

Under this funding commitment, the Maroondah City Council will receive $435,000 to upgrade 14 existing cameras and install seven new cameras at the Town Centre and at Croydon Park.

“Improving law and order, and investing in community safety strategies across our local neighbourhoods are a focus of mine,” Michael said.

“New CCTV along Croydon’s Main Street shopping strip and at Croydon Park, where families and young people socialise, will give shoppers and residents greater peace of mind.

“The Main Street Traders Association, Maroondah City Council, local police and I have spent months working on a detailed plan to improve community safety at the Croydon Town Centre.

“I am thankful to have Minister Keenan out again in Deakin today to announce this funding following his visit to the Croydon Town Centre earlier this year to discuss these plans with community stakeholders.”

Today’s announcement comes on top of over $600,000 in Round One Safer Streets Programme investment into community safety projects already being delivered in Ringwood and Nunawading.

Mr Keenan said the funding is drawn from the Proceeds of Crime Account – that is money taken from criminals and reinvested into prevention of further crime.

“Only safe communities can be strong and prosperous, and the best way to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour is to prevent it from happening,” Mr Keenan said.

“The Coalition will continue to reinvest money confiscated from criminals and put them towards projects that make our streets and communities safer.

“I congratulate Michael Sukkar for his ongoing lobbying efforts in Canberra to deliver for his communities back home, and to ensure this project became a reality for his constituents,” Mr Keenan said.

In the first funding round, the Safer Streets Programme provided $19.5 million for specific projects for the installation of CCTV and lighting. This is the second round of funding which will be delivered in two streams.

The first stream will fund community safety infrastructure such as CCTV and lighting. CCTV is an effective crime prevention measure that provides significant deterrence to anti-social behaviour and is a valuable investigative tool.  The second stream will deliver crime prevention initiatives by supporting the vital work of PCYC and Blue Light organisations across the country.

Further information on the Safer Streets Programme is available at www.ag.gov.au