By ANEEKA SIMONIS
RESIDENTS in Cardinia Shire are being asked to voice their safety concerns in the lead-up to a council-first initiative designed to enhance community welfare.
Cardinia Shire Council is working toward accreditation as a World Health Organisation (WHO) International Safe Community.
Council resilience and recovery co-ordinator David Lane said the council planned to gain accreditation within the next two years, but it wouldn’t happen without the community’s input.
“It’s not just about crime prevention. It’s about safety promotion, injury reduction, mental health, school and community engagement,” Mr Lane listed.
Currently, the council is gathered data – including crime statistics and ambulance admission rates – to build an understanding about the safety issues currently faced by those living in Cardinia Shire.
The initiative, which has Victorian Police support, has already reached out to various groups in the community including seniors, kindergarteners and people from culturally and linguistically different (CALD) backgrounds during its information collection phase.
But the council is seeking feedback from more people in the community, holding several consultation events across the Shire.
The consultation events will be held on:
* Tuesday 22 September, 6.30 to 8pm at Pakenham Library, supper room (corner John and Henry streets, Pakenham).
* Wednesday 23 September, 6.30 to 8pm at Emerald RSL (3 Memorial Avenue, Emerald).
* Tuesday 6 October, 6.30 to 8pm at Lang Lang Community Centre (7 Westernport Road, Lang Lang).
Thursday 8 October, 6.30 to 8pm at Kooweerup Community Complex, function room (247 Rossiter Road, Kooweerup).
* Tuesday 13 October, 6.30 to 8pm at Beaconsfield Neighbourhood Centre (8 O’Neil Road, Beaconsfield).
“We are keen to talk to as many people as possible. This is about the community and what they would like their local government and agencies to deliver,” Mr Lane said.
Cardinia Shire will be the fifth Victoria council to become an International Safe Community if it gains accreditation with the global health agency.
Mr Lane said the safety initiative was the largest of its kind to be delivered in Cardinia Shire.
Pakenham police Senior Sergeant Nathan Prowd hopes the program will help create a safer community for residents.
“People take action based on what they believe. We want to find out what people believe to help create a safer environment for all,” he said.
The safety survey is available on the council’s ‘Have your say’ web page until 5pm on Saturday 31 October.
For more information about the initiative, contact the council’s Safer Communities project officer on 1300 787 624 or mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au
