No. 14

$31 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY

The Stanhope Government is ensuring that our community safety is ready for the future with an injection of over $31 million in the 2008-09 Budget, Minister for Police, Simon Corbell announced today.

“The ACT Government is committed to ensuring that Canberra remains one of the safest cities in Australia. We are investing over $31 million over four years for a new Police Station at Belconnen, a new Forensic Medical Centre and additional CCTV cameras across our city,” Mr Corbell said.

“The 2008-09 Budget provides funding of $17.7 million over four years for the construction of a new Police Station to enhance police facilities in Belconnen. A feasibility study, funded in the 2005-06 Budget into a new police station for Belconnen found that a new state-of-the-art facility would provide a ‘police precinct’ on Canberra’s north-side which would better serve the needs of our local police force.

“The new Belconnen Police Station will be located adjacent to ACT Policing’s Headquarters, the Winchester Police Centre, on Belconnen Way providing the opportunity for the new station and the headquarters to share services and amenities.

“It is expected that 100 police and staff will be based in the new station, which will also feature facilities such as a public access foyer and counter; holding cells and incident rooms; welfare counselling and victim of crime room; muster room; breath analysis area; and secure and visitor car parks. 

“The 2008-09 Budget also provides $5.2 million for the design and construction of a new Forensic Medical Centre to be built by 2010. This new centre will be located in the vicinity of The Canberra Hospital, where it will continue to play a key role in the ACT’s coronial and criminal justice system.

“The current centre in Kingston is located in one of Canberra’s fastest growing residential areas and the Government believes the new location, within Canberra’s primary health precinct, will better facilitate the needs of the Centre and its stakeholders, including police.

“The Stanhope Government will also be investing a further $8 million over four years to make our streets safer by installing closed-circuit television cameras in key places where Canberrans gather. 

“In 2007-08 the Government undertook a comprehensive feasibility study to investigate the potential use of CCTV cameras in our key entertainment areas including Manuka, Kingston and the Town Centres for protection and crime prevention. This study followed the successful installation CCTV cameras funded in the 2006-07 at significant mass gathering sites and transport nodes, and on ACTION buses, which were among the recommendations from the Review of CCTV Capability in the ACT.

“CCTV cameras have been shown to improve crime prevention and policing strategies; to create a safer environment; to augment police intelligence and evidentiary capabilities; and, consistent with the Government’s undertakings under the national counter terrorism arrangements, to protect places of mass gathering and other critical infrastructure.

“This year’s Budget will provide CCTV cameras at other key places where Canberrans gather, including in Civic, Manuka Oval and Exhibition Park.

“Through these investments the Stanhope Government is demonstrating its commitment to ensuring Canberra remains one of the safest cities in Australia.”

Statement ends

6 May 2008
Enquiries:    Tim Colquhoun	6205 0401		tim.colquhoun@act.gov.au