Wyndham council has welcomed a $700,000 state government grant to help address the causes of crime and improve community safety.
Minister for Crime Prevention Natalie Hutchins announced the grant yesterday.
Ms Hutchins said that Wyndham was one of six Victorian councils to receive a grant from the state government’s Empowering Communities initiative.
Wyndham’s community safety portfolio holder, Cr Susan McIntyre, said the council would establish an action group to make decisions about community safety priorities and how grant’s funds would be allocated in the municipality.
The action group will also lead a Building Safer Communities forum in Wyndham and decide on common goals and objectives to assist the council in identifying local organisations to deliver community safety activities.
“The action group will bring a range of stakeholders together to consider important issues that impact on crime and perceptions of safety in the community, identify priority areas for action and identify strengths Wyndham can build on, including programs that are already underway or planned,” Cr McIntyre said.
Wyndham Mayor Cr Adele Hegedich said: “Wyndham’s approach will be to utilise the strengths that exist locally and the willingness of local people and organisations to come together to build community.”
The state government grant will fund initiatives in Wyndham until June 30, 2024.
For further information on the Crime Prevention Strategy and Building Safer Communities Program, visit www.crimeprevention.vic.gov.au
