Sunnybank residents rejoice, for your home just got a little
bit safer. Maybe.
The Federal Minister for Home Affairs, Jason Clare, has
undertaken to fund extra security measures for the southern Brisbane suburb of
Sunnybank as part of the Safer Suburbs program launched in May 2008 by the
Gillard Government.
As a part of this program, with the aid of ALP Member for
Moreton Graham Perrett, $300,000 in funding will be used to install extra
lighting and security cameras in Sunnybank’s retail and commercial district as
a deterrent against crime after years as a hotspot for violent crime in the
city.
“This funding will be used to install six new lighting
fixtures and two CCTV cameras in Sunnybank to boost safety for locals and
visitors,” said Mr Clare yesterday while touring the precinct with Mr Graham
and Brisbane City Councillor Stephen Huang. “The project will also fund a
traffic management plan at the Macgregor State School and the extension of
anti-crossing fencing on Mains Rd to improve pedestrian safety.”
Minister Clare also met with Police Inspector Owen Elloy and
Sgt Michelle Mullen from the Crime Prevention team to discuss the crime issue
in the Sunnybank area.
“Like the rest of the community, I am very concerned about
local crime, including the recent shooting in Eight Mile Plains,” Mr Perrett
said, “Local residents have the right to feel safe.”
The shooting Mr Perrett refers to was the recent murder of
22-year old Jack Lee outside a Sushi Train restaurant in nearby Eight Mile
Plains last week. This comes as just the latest in a long line of violent
crimes for which the area has become notorious, including a recent brawl on a
public overpass that led to three men being admitted to hospital with stab
wounds, and an armed robbery at gunpoint in March, amongst other examples.
Sunnybank has long been regarded as one of Brisbane’s more
dangerous and notorious areas, with violent crime and robberies relatively
common. With these new measures, and plans for further security upgrades, Mr
Perrett hopes this action will make residents feel safer and visitors feel more
welcome.
“This will help locals sleep better at night,” he said. “Cameras
and lighting help curb anti-social behaviour, and the traffic management plan
and fencing will make the area safer for pedestrians.”
Mr Perrett also predicts a boost to local commerce, saying,
“Improving safety in Sunnybank will also give a boost to
local businesses. If people feel safe in the area they will stay longer, spend
more money, and return more often.
“More work is needed – particularly more CCTV cameras – but I
welcome these safety upgrades.”
So, Sunnybank residents, I bet you feel safer already, don’t
you? Now, just try to ignore the growing economic disparity between the upper-
and lower-classes that – historically speaking – creates a spike in violent
crime and drug abuse in lower socio-economic environments, and the statistical
increase in gun-related crime in Queensland, and know that, even if you are
shot on the streets of Sunnybank for your wallet, at least there will be
well-lit footage of the incident to play at your wake.
Still, you’ve got to start somewhere.
The Safer Suburbs program will fund an additional 43
projects before funding ceases, unless the government grants another extension
as it did in 2010. It has not been announced when work will commence on the Sunnybank
project.
Karl Anderson
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