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Connecting people and communities
Tuesday, 4 March, 2014 Page 5
Dip in total crime By JESSE GRAHAM WHILE crime rates are rising across the state, the Yarra Ranges saw total crime drop in the past year, despite rising domestic violence rates. Victoria Police released its latest round of crime statistics on Wednesday 26 February, comparing 2013 crime rates to the year before. Crime across Victoria rose 3.1 per cent in 2013, though the Yarra Ranges Police Service Area (PSA) saw a drop of 4.5 per cent overall. Family violence incidents rose by 6 per cent in 2013, with 380 individual offences recorded compared to 358 in 2012. Yarra Ranges Inspector Paul Rosemblum vowed that Yarra Ranges police would continue to make family violence a priority.
“It is clear that we are progressing in the right direction as there is increased reporting of family violence matters with a noted increase in referrals to support agencies,” he said. “We will work closely with council and other agencies to make headway in this area. “A domestic family violence unit has been implemented and is of great assistance, providing expertise, guidance and confidence in targeting this issue.” The rise in family violence is consistent with the state’s figures, which saw statistics rise 9 per cent - or 1793 offences - from the year before. Assault in general - which includes family violence - saw an 11.2 per cent rise. According to Insp Rosemblum, burglary was another key focus for
police, with a dramatic fall of 26.6 per cent in residential burglary and a 24.1 per cent increase in commercial and other burglaries. Insp Rosemblum said Yarra Ranges police had taken “significant effort” in targeting burglary across the field, though the rise in crime rates remained a concern. “Commercial burglary continues to be an issue, but I am confident that our crime strategies combined with media strategies will result in a reduction of this offence, also,” he said. Robbery saw a nearly 40 per cent drop in 2013, with 26 incidents reported to police compared to 43 in 2012, while crime against property rates dropped by nearly 10 per cent and drug offences dropped by 7.5 per cent.
Your take on inclusion
Deaths on the road were also an issue in the area, with eight fatalities in the Yarra Ranges in 2013 - a rise of three compared to 2012. Insp Rosemblum said road policing would remain a priority throughout 2014. “We continue with planned visible and covert operations targeting known areas of risk,” he said. “Media education strategies continue in our efforts to reduce serious injury collisions.” The state road toll was 42 on Wednesday 26 February - up 38 from the same time in 2013. The crime rates were compared for the period of 1 January-31 December in 2012 with the same period in 2013.
By KATH GANNWAY YARRA Ranges Council’s Draft Equity, Access and Inclusion Strategy is out for public comment. The council, at its 11 February meeting, endorsed the draft, which is now on public exhibition. Cr Maria McCarthy said the draft strategy had been strengthened following feedback from the council and the Disability Advisory Council, the key change being to strengthen council’s advocacy role. She said the four goals contained in the strategy were to ensure information was accessible and supported equitable participation and inclusion in civic life, that council buildings and infrastructure were accessible to everyone, that Yarra Ranges was an inclusive community where everyone could particpatie equally and that council’s commitment to equity, access and inclusion were demonstrated in all aspects of the business. Mayor Fiona McAllister said she was on the Disability Advisory Council when the strategy was developed. “Inclusion is a topic very close to my heart, and I think we as a community have a long way to travel on this. I am behind anything we do as a council to support this,” she said. “It should be a very short journey, but, sadly, it’s a longer journey than we would have thought.” The strategy is now available for public exhibition at http://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Council/Public_Notices_Consultation/Draft_Equity_Access_and_Inclusion_Strategy
Dozens of groups compare notes By RUSSELL BENNETT REPRESENTATIVES from all of Emerald’s sporting, community and service groups will converge on the town’s RSL next week for a forum that could help shape the future of the town in 2014. The RSL has initiated the forum for all of the town’s groups and clubs - and Cardinia Shire’s Ranges Ward councillors - to band together and make themselves known, so they can work to better serve their community. There are currently around 50 groups and clubs within Emerald many of which would not be known to each other.
But RSL president Peter Maloney said his club already had “a very positive response” to the networking concept. He said the general idea was for the groups in attendance to all share their common goals, and to co-operate where possible. Emerald RSL’s Paul Rothville will co-ordinate the evening, which kicks off at 7pm on 12 March at the RSL clubrooms. He said the forum would enable all participants to enhance their service and to better serve the community by the sharing of ideas, and to improve ways of how to represent the
Peter Maloney, Dr Hamish Russell and Paul Rothville will take part in a special community forum at the Emerald RSL next week. 115953 Picture: RUSSELL BENNETT different needs of the area. The evening will allow each group a five-minute address, detailing their function and mission, which will be followed by questions.
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A revised draft of the Emerald community facilities spatial plan has also just been released to the community for comment and it will also be discussed on the night.
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