Media Releases

A youth oriented project that has involved considerable consultation and planning is about to get underway in Kerang thanks to a grant from the Victorian Government and announced today by local Member, Peter Walsh.
Under the government’s Public Safety Infrastructure Fund (PSIF) grant program, $250,000 has been allocated to the redevelopment of the Kerang Skate Park.
“The Public Safety Infrastructure Fund is designed to assist communities develop public safety and community confidence in public places by developing projects that reduce opportunities for crime and antisocial behaviour,” Mr Walsh said.
“The “Remote Control” Redevelopment of the Kerang Skate Park has been identified by the community and user groups as being a major priority in providing a focus for youth activity and engagement and, therefore, reducing instances of antisocial behaviour, vandalism and opportunistic crime.
“The project has developed as a real partnership between local youth, the community and Council and thus a strong sense of ownership will also come with its construction.
“Stemming from the development of the Community Safety Plan and with the broad range of community organisations involved, this exciting project will be a great enhancement to the overall Atkinson Park precinct,” Mr Walsh said.
Total cost of the project is estimated to be approximately $319,000 with the extra funding required coming from Council, the Local Government Infrastructure Program plus an in-kind contribution from the community.
Crime Prevention Minister Edward O’Donohue also expressed his support for the project.
“Local people are best placed to come up with local solutions for behavioural problems in their communities and this latest initiative is a great example of that,” he said.
“Gannawarra Council is one of 22 councils to have benefited from the latest round of grants which are about making our communities safer and deliver better outcomes for everyone.
“The response to the PSIF grants has been overwhelming, with more than $5.5 million offered to local councils over the past two rounds.
“It just highlights the important role that local councils play in helping to make their own community safer,” Minister O’Donohue said.

Local emergency services groups are encouraged to apply for grants of up to $100,000 for new operational equipment says Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh.
“We are investing a record $12.23 million to ensure emergency services volunteers have the tools they need to do their job protecting communities,” Mr Walsh said today.
“Under the Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), grants of up to $100,000 will go to emergency services groups for operational equipment such as vehicles, trucks, tankers, watercraft, trailers and to make minor facility improvements.
“The Coalition Government will contribute $2 for every $1 contributed by volunteers from eligible organisations,” he said.
Since 2011, the Victorian Government has paid $23.55 million towards new equipment for 457 emergency services groups under the VESEP program.
VESEP is a partnership between the Government and communities to help emergency services volunteer groups purchase equipment that supports the ongoing protection and safety of all Victorians.
“Our emergency services volunteers are the backbone of Victoria’s emergency response so we want to ensure they have the latest equipment available to help them carry out their vital work,” Mr Walsh said.
“We will continue to ensure our emergency services volunteers are better equipped to respond safely and effectively to emergencies whether it be floods, storms or bushfires,” he said.
For more information go to www.justice.vic.gov.au or email vesep@justice.vic.gov.au

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, today welcomed a commitment by Victoria Police to maintain all of Victoria’s 99 one man police stations.
“There has been some uncertainty about the future of one man police stations in communities like Manangatang, Pyramid Hill and Minyip and today’s announcement by Chief Commissioner Ken Lay provides clarity for local communities,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Victorian Coalition Government is proud to be delivering the largest ever boost to frontline police resources and a commitment by Victoria Police to one man stations will ensure our small country communities have a police presence.
“Officers in these stations provided a unique service as they are often actively involved in all aspects of community activity.
“The operational policy decision by Victoria Police follows after a review of eight stations in Victoria that were currently not filled,” he said.
Mr Walsh said Victoria Police would now actively work on ways to fill vacancies in one man police stations, such as promoting the opportunities internally and having local area management working with the local community.
“In the meantime, police from nearby stations will continue to provide a service at the stations that are currently open for a limited amount of hours each week, until full time officers are recruited and allocated to them,” he said.
“Resourcing our police force at appropriate levels and providing a police presence in all communities across our state is a fundamental component of the Victorian Coalition Government’s law and order policy.
“By November 2014 the Coalition Government will have invested $602 million to support the roll-out of 1,700 new frontline police to be allocated across the Victoria, 850 additional frontline police of which will be allocated by the end of June this year.
“The 2012-13 Victorian Budget also includes $56 million to upgrade or refurbish police stations and build new police stations across Victoria,” Mr Walsh said.

The Coalition Government has awarded funding to the Northern Grampians Council to improve local crime prevention measures, as part of the Government’s Public Safety Infrastructure Fund grants.
Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, today said $20,000 will be provided to install new vandal resistant lights in St Arnaud’s Queen Mary Botanical Gardens.
“We all want to feel safe in our community and this funding will help deter crime in the botanical gardens area with a specific focus on vandalism and other anti-social behaviour,” Mr Walsh said.
The grant program was highly competitive, with over 100 applications received from councils across Victoria.
Crime Prevention Minister Andrew McIntosh said the successful applications covered a number of different types of projects.
"Several councils have received funding support for the installation of CCTV systems. CCTV camera footage can be used by police to assist in identifying and prosecuting offenders, and provides a strong deterrent to those who commit crimes and engage in anti-social behaviour in our streets,” he said.
“Grant funding was also awarded to projects involving installation of public safety and security assets such as lighting systems, and urban design initiatives which help reduce the opportunity to commit crime.”
The Public Safety Infrastructure Fund grants are part of the Coalition Government’s $39 million Community Crime Prevention Program. This sum includes funding for community safety measures and graffiti removal programs across Victoria.
Information on the Community Crime Prevention Program, including details of all the successful Public Safety Infrastructure Fund projects, can be found at www.justice.vic.gov.au/communitycrimeprevention

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, joined the pledge made by Victoria’s male Members of Parliament this week to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.
Sixty MPs from both sides of politics made the pledge in the lead-up to White Ribbon Day – the international day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
The event was organised by Minister for Women’s Affairs Ms Wooldridge in conjunction with the White Ribbon Foundation, which was established in 2007 as the first male-led family violence prevention campaign. It aims to raise awareness through campaigns and events and engaging men as White Ribbon ambassadors.
“One of the most effective ways of changing attitudes to family violence is to enable men to take responsibility and show leadership in their communities,” Mr Walsh said.
“I have a strong belief in the importance of country women taking leadership roles in their communities and my commitment to supporting White Ribbon Day reinforces this belief.
“Although preventing violence against women is a community-wide responsibility, men have a critical role in helping to stop violence before it starts,” he said.
“The Coalition Government has committed nearly $40,000 to support activities associated with White Ribbon Day which include new funding to promote online education and awareness on preventing violence against women, and funding for community organisations to promote events through the community,” Mr Walsh said.
For more information on activities go to www.whiteribbon.org.au

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, joined with Education Minister Martin Dixon today in congratulating the 3 schools in the Swan Hill electorate who are among the first in the state to sign up to the Victorian Coalition Government funded $10.5 million eSmart cyberbullying program.
Lalbert Primary, Manangatang P-12 and St Mary’s Primary have all committed to the eSmart cybersafety program created by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.
This program will be available to every government school across the state and 300 Catholic and independent schools over the next four years.
“I congratulate the 3 Swan Hill region schools, which have joined 400 schools across Victoria in becoming the first to register for eSmart,” Mr Dixon said.
“This shows just how serious these schools are about stamping out bullying and creating safe places where students can learn and support each other.”
Peter Walsh also expressed his concern over the growth of cyberbullying.
“This is an insidious form of bullying as it is done from a distance which is the hallmark of such bullies,” Mr Walsh said.
“There seems to be the impression that because it is carried out in this manner the perpetrators are safe from being caught out.
“The eSmart program will go a long way to assisting students deal with this form of bullying,” he said.
The Victorian Government will provide each school with $2000 to help them implement eSmart.
“Students today spend a lot of time the cyber world, so it’s important they are provided with the tools they need to stay safe in that space,” Mr Dixon said.
eSmart teaches students about protecting themselves from risks including cyberbullying and sexting, and also about the importance of protecting their own privacy and was developed by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation along with the RMIT School of Education and other education experts.
It will play a key role in delivering on the Victorian Government’s commitment to stamp out bullying, combat violence in schools and provide students and parents with the support they need.

The Victorian Coalition Government is providing eight councils with extra financial assistance to help them enforce tough laws on dangerous pit bull dogs.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh said $135,000 would be distributed among councils experiencing a significant increase in work.
“Victoria’s councils have received thousands of telephone calls since new legislation was introduced to impose criminal penalties on owners of dangerous dogs who attack people and to end the amnesty for registration of pit bulls,” Mr Walsh.
“The dangerous dog hotline has received 565 reports of suspected dangerous or restricted breed dogs since it was established in August and councils have received many more.
“Local governments’ obligation to enforce dog laws has not changed but the decision to end the amnesty and increase penalties has resulted in more work for some councils.
“Many owners have asked councils to assess their dog against the new standards to ensure their animal does not qualify as a pit bull cross.
“Some councils have assigned additional administrative staff to handle the phone calls and paperwork in order to free up the time of skilled animal management officers,” Mr Walsh said.
Mr Walsh said he had been working closely with Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell and the Municipal Association of Victoria to determine what extra resources councils needed.
“Hume and Casey will receive $30,000 because they have experienced the greatest increase in workload. The funding will help offset the costs they have incurred by putting on additional staff and will help them deal with the hundreds of dogs still requiring assessment.
“Grants of $15,000 will go to Melton, Whittlesea and Wyndham councils who have also allocated additional staff and reported they have up to 200 dogs requiring priority assessment.
“Brimbank, Cardinia and Banyule councils will receive $10,000 grants to respond to a large number of enquiries related specifically to the change in legislation.”
Mr Walsh thanked councils for the efforts they had made in response to the decision to end the restricted breed amnesty and impose tougher penalties for dangerous dog attacks.
“We will continue to work with local government to improve public safety from dangerous dog attacks,” Mr Walsh said.

Parents throughout the region are reminded that the new law on supplying alcohol to minors has come into effect as of 1 November.
It is now illegal for adults to supply young people with alcohol in private homes without parental permission.
“Research clearly shows that alcohol can cause young people harm, and it is important that measures are taken to ensure the safety of our children,” said Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh.
“We have changed the law to give parents more control over where, when and how their children are exposed to alcohol.”
Consumer Affairs Minister Michael O’Brien said the law addressed concerns of parents about a previous loophole that allowed minors to be supplied with alcohol in private homes.
“People can now face fines of more than $7,000 if they break the law by supplying a minor with alcohol in their home without the consent of that minor’s parent or guardian,” he said.
Mental Health Minister Mary Wooldridge said most people want to do the right thing, which is why the Victorian Coalition Government has set aside $1 million for an education and awareness campaign on the new law.
“This campaign will help make sure that the law is well understood, and support and guide parents who want to talk to their children about alcohol,” Ms Wooldridge said.
Information about the new law and the education campaign is available from www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/teendrinkinglaw.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, today urged members of the community to join the debate on new plates for the state.

On Sunday Premier Ted Baillieu announced Victorian number plates would carry a road safety message, which will be selected after extensive consultation.

Mr Walsh urged the local community to join the discussion and put forward ideas for road safety messages that would help reduce the road toll.

“Safety on our roads is an issue for us all and the more we promote the driving with care message the better,” Mr Walsh said.

“The use of number plates to display a road safety message is another way of reminding drivers of their responsibilities as road users.

“The trauma of motor vehicle accidents on our country roads is all too real and each of us have a responsibility to assist in making our roads safer.

“I encourage all members of the community to sit down with family or friends and come up with a safety slogan that can be put onto our new number plates,” he said.

Victorians can submit their ideas from midday Monday 17 October at www.premier.vic.gov.au

The new number plates are expected to roll out in Victoria next year.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, is calling on all interested members of the community to consider making a submission into the Victorian speed limit review.

“We often hear of confusion and frustration at roads with multiple speed limit changes, school zones, shopping strips and town centres,” Mr Walsh said.

The speed limit review that has been initiated by the Victorian Government is aimed at achieving consistency of speed limits across the State.

“The application of consistent speed limits makes it easier for drivers to abide by the limits ensuring safer conditions for all road users,” Mr Walsh said.

“The importance of safety and mobility on our roads is paramount, and all speed limits are set with consideration given to traffic, pedestrians and surrounding developments.

“However, if people feel that there are too many speed changes on a street, or believe they have a solution to make speed limits easier to understand, then I urge you to make a submission,” Mr Walsh said.

People interested in making a submission can check the Terms of Reference found on the VicRoads website at vicroads.vic.gov.au.

Submissions are open from 30 August to 11 October and can be sent to Speed Limit Review, 60 Denmark Street, Kew, Vic, 3101 or emailed to speedreview@roads.vic.gov.au