Featuring some fresh faces after the recent Council election, the Gunnedah Crime Prevention Working Group met on Tuesday evening, to discuss initiatives to enhance community safety and reduce crime in the Gunnedah Shire.

Councillors attending were Colleen Fuller, John Campbell, David Moses and Murray O’Keefe. With the re-election of Councillor Fuller as Chair, the Working Group was quick to get down to business, with in-depth discussion taking place on topics ranging from crime prevention through environmental design, CCTV, alcohol-free zones, domestic and family violence, drug prevention educational materials and police crime statistics.

“I am delighted that Councillor Fuller has been re-elected unopposed to this very important working group; her contributions made in the previous term have been recognised and we look forward to her positive leadership over the next term.”

“Also Welcome to Councillor O’Keefe and Campbell, we look forward to their positive contributions and new ideas to the Working Group” Mayor Chaffey said.

Established in 2000, the Gunnedah Crime Prevention Working Group is an advisory group that meets bi-monthly. Adopting a whole of community approach to crime prevention within the Gunnedah Shire, membership is drawn from a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives from NSW Police Oxley Local Area Command, Gunnedah Family Support, PCYC, Winanga-Li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre, several community and youth members, as well as Council staff.

The Group played a significant role in the development of the Gunnedah Crime Prevention Plan 2014-2017 and has over time championed for changes to State and Federal government domestic violence policy and funding, supported the lodgement of several successful grant funding applications, and contributed to community safety projects including the implementation of CCTV in the Gunnedah CBD and the Gunny Get You Home Safe initiative.

Photo: Meeting of the Gunnedah Crime Prevention Working Group.

ENDS