Annual Report 2005/2006 - Port Augusta - SA.Gov.au

GOAL AREA 1:
Community Development
Sub Goal 1.1: Our Community feels safe
Various projects are initiated by
Council each year in an endeavour to
assist in making our community a
safer place to live and visit.
1. Total City Dry Areas
Council had been concerned for
sometime in relation to the increasing
levels of public drunkenness and antisocial
behaviour during the summer
period, which was mainly a result of
excessive use of alcohol.
At its meeting held on the 26 th
September 2005 Council resolved to
make application to the Liquor &
Gambling Commissioner for the total
Port Augusta City Council area to be
declared a “Dry Area” on a twelve
month trial period.
The Total City Dry Area came into
effect on the 1 st December 2005 and
Council has sought feedback from the
community via a public meeting which
was held in March 2006 and written
submissions have also been
encouraged throughout the trial
period.
A State Government Steering
Committee has also been established
to monitor the impact and affect of
the Total City Dry Areas and this
Committee will undertake an
evaluation of the affect the
introduction of this initiative has had
on the City and community.
The aims of the Total City Dry Areas
are to:
a. Reduce the incidence of
intoxication amongst drinkers
b. Enhance public safety and amenity
at all times and in places where
alcohol is consumed.
c. Improve health outcomes among
individuals and communities
affected by alcohol consumption.
d. Facilitate safer and healthier
drinking culture by developing
community understanding about
the special properties of alcohol
and through regulation of its
availability.
2. Freecall 1800 Crime Reporting
Council introduced a “Freecall 1800
Crime Reporting Number” (1800 623
836) to enable residents to register crime
that they witnessed occurring in the City,
including vandalism, damage to the
foreshores, graffiti and street crime, to
enable Council to gather statistics in this
area. Callers are asked to give the date
and approximate time of the offence as
well as the location and a brief
description. This number is used only for
statistical purposes, not for where the
police or any of the emergency services
are needed.
There are many measures being put in
place by Council and other organisations
to reduce the incidence of crime in our
City and it is hoped that initiatives such
as the Freecall 1800 Crime Reporting
Number, will continue to support the
reduction of crime within our community.
4. Closed Circuits TVs (CCTVs)
Council purchased 4 CCTVs which were
commissioned in October 2005 to
improve security within the CBD and
foreshore area of the City.
Investigations are now underway to
ascertain if additional external funding
can be sourced to enhance the current
system by purchasing 2 portable units
that can be placed in specific locations
where crime is being experienced.
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