Home invasion risks on rise Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au HOUSES in some southeast suburbs are more than twice as likely to be burgled as the average Victorian home, the RACV’s analysis of the 2015-16 crime statistics reveals. The average burglary rate rose from onein-74 homes to one-in-68 homes, as the number of burglaries reported to police increased by 10 per cent across the state. The RACV’s interactive digital map can zoom in on any postcode to find out its burglary rate. Mornington Peninsula postcodes continued to feature after making the top 10 for the first time last year. This year, Rye, Shoreham and Balnarring were all deemed riskier than average, with Hastings in equal 10th place due to a 1-in-34 home burglary rate. RACV home services and security general manager Aaron Flavell said different areas were attractive to burglars for different reasons – new home estates are known to have many new goods and, in some instances, border on socio-economically challenged areas. High-turnover rental areas are also vulnerable partly due to neighbours not knowing each other. “RACV encourages all Victorians to get to know their neighbours and look out for each other,” he said. “Our analysis clearly shows that residents in some areas have a higher-than-average risk of being burgled in any one year. “While there are often complex reasons why some areas have higher burglary rates than others, homeowners can effectively reduce their
chance of being burgled by increasing the would-be burglar’s risk of being disturbed or caught. “Unfortunately, burglary victims are at high risk of being targeted again as burglars often return to steal new items which have been bought to replace the stolen goods. Neighbours are also at an increased risk. “Research shows that burglars are less likely to target a property if a security system is present, so consider installing a monitored security alarm system.” Crime Statistics Agency data shows that the rate of home invasions statewide soared by 40 per cent. Frankston North and Pines Forest were fifth in the ranking, with last year’s 1-in-46 homes rising to 1-in-26 this year. “While the surge in home invasions is concerning, the vast majority of burglaries took place when no one was home,” Mr Flavell said. “Home invasions are a remote risk, so it is important to keep it in perspective, but also to know what you can do to prepare to be safe and reduce the risks for you and your family. “If you should get burgled while at home, the safety of you and your family is paramount. You should never confront offenders but focus on staying safe while trying to call 000,” he said. Most stolen items are cash, electrical appliances and jewellery, which should be kept out of sight to slow thieves down or deter them. Most burglars are looking for a quick grab and getaway.
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Dam discussion by shire ‘next year’ MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council has confirmed it will discuss the future of the former South East Water reservoir in Kunyung Rd, Mt Eliza, with the water authority early next year. At last week’s council meeting, Mt Eliza resident and planning activist Rebecca Taylor asked the council whether it could confirm that “preserving the Kunyung reservoir as a public conservation and recreation zone (PCR2) will be formally tabled at the next meeting to be dealt with early next year”. Ms Taylor, who started the Kunyung Says No residents’ group and an online petition to save the land, has been pushing for the council to be “transparent” about its dealings with South East Water. Chief operating officer Alison Leighton told
the meeting the council’s planning team had committed to “consultation” with South East Water regarding the future of that land, and the matter would be “dealt with” in the New Year. President of the South Eastern Centre for Sustainability, Steve Karakitsos, said he was hopeful that “constructive dialogue” can begin to resolve the land’s future and protect it from development. In early 2014 the water authority asked the shire to rezone its 2.8 hectare reservoir land on the corner of Barmah and Kanya roads, east of Kunyung Rd, for 24 housing blocks of about 1000 square metres each, worth about $450,000 a block or $10.8 million. The dam was decommissioned in 1999 and has become a haven for wildlife. Liz Bell
Plan for planning committee OFFICERS will report to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council about forming a planning committee so councillors can be pre-briefed on planning applications and future planning scheme amendments before they are debated at public meetings. The report will be tabled at next year’s March council meeting after councillors unanimously backed Cr David Gill’s notice of motion to have council officers look at options for a planning committee. Cr Gill had previously voiced frustration at being unable to have a notion of motion heard to investigate the formation of a planning committee.
“We don’t have the ability to have a planning committee because even a notice of motion is rejected by the CEO when I try to raise this issue,” Cr Gill said at November’s public council meeting. At last Monday’s council meeting, CEO Carl Cowie wondered “what in particular is broken for council that requires such a planning committee”. Cr Gill said democratically-elected councillors “do not have enough time” at public council meetings to discuss town planning matters and any help from council officers to set aside more time for planning discussions would be beneficial. Mornington News 20 December 2016
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