Port Phillip Council has adopted its Community Safety Plan 2019-2023, outlining three key priorities to deliver for the community, ensuring residents and visitors feel safe to live, work and play in Port Phillip.

Community safety is a key focus of the Health and Wellbeing Implementation Strategy 2017-2021, and the Community Safety Plan 2019-2023 was developed in consultation with residents, local traders, community service organisations and Victoria Police.

Mayor Dick Gross welcomed the new plan.

“Safety is a fundamental human right, and community safety isn’t just about reducing and preventing crime; it’s also about helping people feel safe. Council works in partnership with all levels of government, Victoria Police, community service organisations and members of our community,’ Cr Gross said.

The three priorities of the Community Safety Plan 2019-2023 are:

• Creating Safe Spaces by working with our partners to implement design-based strategies such as improved lighting, graffiti, and waste removal, and targeted CCTV systems to increase actual and perceived safety.

• Building Resilience to empower and connect communities, support the most vulnerable and promote diversity and inclusion. Council will continue to deliver programs and host events which celebrate our diverse community, as well as continuing with placemaking approaches that bring together residents, local traders and place users to agree on a future vision for our City. Council will also implement a whole of Council and community approach to preventing and responding to family violence.

• Living Healthy aims to reduce harm caused by drug and the misuse of alcohol and other drugs by working with partners through Council’s Health and Wellbeing Implementation Strategy, reviewing public drinking restrictions associated with streets and footpaths, and continuing to deliver and improve the City’s syringe waste management service.

“Council is committed to working with our partners to create safe neighbourhoods where people feel safe and happy, and can enjoy all our City has to offer, leading to a healthy and thriving Port Phillip,” Cr Gross said.

A draft CCTV policy will be presented for consideration at a future Council meeting.