Nine local crime prevention projects funded under Phillip Thompson commitment
Nine local organisations will receive Federal Government funding to install CCTV, bollards, lighting and alarm systems under an election commitment made by Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson today.
Mr Thompson said more than $560,000 would go towards sporting clubs, a school and other community organisations to help protect their facilities against crime, if the Coalition is re-elected.
“Almost everyone I speak to has felt the effect of Townsville’s out-of-control crime, and community groups like these are often hit hard,” Mr Thompson said.
“These sporting clubs and schools are the heart and soul of our community. A break-in at a canteen, or vandalism of a facility can have a massive flow-on effect leading to cancelled events and significant repair and replacement costs.
“We want to see the State Government step up, change legislation and impose tougher penalties, but helping these organisations get the security measures they need to protect their property is one way we can help at the federal level.
“Labor’s Herbert candidate has been deafening in his silence on Townsville’s crime crisis. I urge the candidate to come clean and tell locals exactly what he will do to fix this problem that’s been escalating for far too many years under Labor State MPs who refuse to act in the best interests of our community.”
Mr Thompson said Brothers Football Club would receive $215,394 to install 470 bollards at Hi Vista Park in Mount Louisa, as well as 12 CCTV cameras, after a 4WD vandalised their fields about a year ago.
“There’s absolutely no excuse for someone to rip up a local sporting ground and ruin a key piece of infrastructure for club members and young kids, which is why we want to install bollards and cameras here so it can’t happen again,” Mr Thompson said.
Brothers Football Club President John Fergus welcomed the commitment.
“Unfortunately our facility has been a target for crime for quite a while but no one has been able to help fund any significant prevention measures, which means we’re regularly having to use club money for repairs.
“Getting bollards and cameras at Hi Vista Park is something we’ve needed for a very long time, and we’re thankful that Phil Thompson has put our case forward and helped get us this commitment.”
Other local organisations that would receive funding under the commitment are:
- NQ Hindu Community, Vincent – CCTV cameras, security lights, fencing and alarms ($30,000)
- Riverside Adventist School – CCTV cameras, security lighting, security fences and alarms ($194,644)
- YWAM Youth Transitional Housing, Townsville – Security and alarm systems ($25,967)
- Riverway Vikings Football Club, Kelso – CCTV cameras, lighting and alarm systems ($10,000)
- Mary MacKillop Church, Mundingburra – CCTV cameras ($21,016)
- St Joseph’s Church, North Ward – CCTV cameras ($13,427)
- Good Shepherd Church, Kirwan & Rasmussen – CCTV cameras ($38,362)
- St Mary’s Church, West End – CCTV cameras ($13,164)
ENDS