The Coalition Government has awarded $53,400 to the Mansfield Shire to improve lighting at the Mansfield Recreation Reserve to help address local crime prevention measures, as part of the Government’s Public Safety Infrastructure Fund grants.
Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said the funding will complement the recently announced $299,650 from the State Government $1 billion Regional Growth Fund’s Putting Locals First Program for the stage 4a redevelopment of the Mansfield Recreation Reserve.
“The upgrade and installation of lighting around the reserve will improve safety and assist in measures to deter anti-social behaviour.
“Improved lighting will also increase community confidence in using the public facilities later into the day and evening, especially for young people and parents with young children.”
Mansfield Shire CEO David Roff said, “This is terrific news and complements recent funding announcements in relation to the recreation precinct.
“Council very much looks forward to implementing this project which will improve lighting around the sporting complex and clubrooms and assist users and pedestrians who use the path through the reserve . It will also improve safety and visibility at the newly redeveloped playground , which is already enormously popular.”
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.”
Mr McIntosh said action on community safety and crime prevention is a high priority for the Coalition Government and these grants will help to make communities safer across Victoria.
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 Benalla Bill Sykes and Member for Seymour Cindy McLeish today announced $2.035 million to improve safety on popular motorcycle routes along Euroa-Mansfield Road between Euroa and Merton, Whanregarwen Road from Molesworth to Alexandra and Jerusalem Creek Road, Eildon by upgrading motorcycle ‘blacklengths’ in North Eastern Victoria.

The works comprise sealing shoulders on curves, sealing side road entrances, installation of rubrail (protects motorcyclists from directly impacting on existing guard rail) as well as new safety signs and flexible guide posts. In some cases trees close to the road will be removed.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is taking action now to make Victoria’s roads safer and reduce the risks of crashes for motorcyclists and other road users,” Dr Sykes said.

“Motorcyclists are 38 times more likely to be seriously injured in a crash than car drivers and passengers. Tragically, in 2012 there has already been six motorcyclists and one pillion passenger killed on Victoria’s roads,” he said.

“In the five years 2006 to 2011, there were 22 casualty crashes involving motorcyclists on these roads in North Eastern Victoria. Although motorcycles represent less than four per cent of motor vehicles registered in Victoria, they were involved in between 60 and 80 per cent of the casualty crashes on these roads.

“On Euroa-Mansfield Road there were 14 crashes in the last five years involving motorcycles.”

An investment of $795,000 for this road between Euroa and Merton will see:
• rubrail installed on existing guardrail
• installation of chevron alignment markers (CAMs)
• installation of motorcycle risk advisory signs
• sealing of bellmouths at gravel road intersections
• removal of trees and flattening of roadside to improve sight lines

Cindy McLeish said, “There were four crashes between 2006 and 2011 on Whanregarwen Road from Molesworth to Alexandra involving motorcycles.

“The Whanregarwen Road is certainly one of the most scenic country roads in the area but it does have some serious corners so I certainly welcome the work to improve the road safety. It is important that funding is dedicated to such roads.”

Safety improvements to the value of $317,000 will see:

• installation of motorcycle risk advisory signs
• sealing of bellmouths and intersection to prevent gravel being tracked onto the roadway
• installation of chevron alignment markers (CAMs), curve warning signs and speed advisory signs
• widening of the road and shoulder sealing
• installation of guide posts and edge lines
• road surface improvement

“On Jerusalem Creek Road, Eildon there were four crashes in the last five years involving motorcycles. An investment of $923,000 will see:
• installation of motorcycle risk advisory signs
• sealing of bellmouths and intersection to prevent gravel being tracked onto the roadway
• installation of chevron alignment markers (CAMs), curve warning signs and speed advisory signs
• widening of the road and shoulder sealing
• installation of guide posts and edge line marking

Dr Sykes said, “The local community have identified the need for road improvements on Jerusalem Creek Road. This funding along three kilometres from the Pininger Road intersection to improve road safety for motorcyclists is a welcome first step.”

The $2.035 million investment in motorcycle safety improvements has been made possible by the Motorcycle Safety Levy which is included as part of the TAC premium on new motorcycle registrations and registration renewals.

“The Motorcycle Safety Levy funds a range of initiatives that address the key issues causing motorcycle trauma. A total of 167 infrastructure projects to the value of $28.055 million have been approved for motorcycle safety initiatives across Victoria,” said Dr Sykes.

Media enquiries Bill Sykes MP 0427 624 989

Communities throughout north east Victoria are being empowered to improve their safety and security through a share in $1 million through the State Government’s Community Safety Fund grants program.
Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said today grants had been awarded to a number of community organisations throughout the electorate to improve security and reduce the risk of theft and vandalism.
Local recipients are:
• Glenrowan & District Community Centre - $3,664 for security system installation;
• Glenrowan Primary School - $3,880 to upgrade and improve security lighting;
• Benalla Primary School - $9,375 to improve lighting and fences;
• Benalla Sports and Entertainment Centre Inc - $3,500 for installation of security gates and lighting;
• Nagambie Lakes Community House Inc - $9,000 to install security mesh screens and window locks;
• Euroa Men’s Shed Inc - $4,930 to purchase and install security fencing, windows and door and lights; and
• Greta Football and Netball Club - $2,180 to install a security system.

Dr Sykes said, “A number of community groups have previously raised with me their concerns about increasing incidents of theft and vandalism and these grants will enable organisations to implement solutions to reduce these issues.
“These grants will provide safer and more secure facilities in our district.”
Minister for Crime Prevention, Andrew McIntosh said Community Safety Grants were about finding community solutions for community problems.
The Community Safety Fund grants are part of the Coalition Government’s four year $39 million Community Crime Prevention Program, committed to supporting community action on crime prevention to help make communities safer across Victoria. There will be further grant funding rounds available over the next three years.
As part of the Coalition Government’s Your Community, Your Say Crime Prevention program, a series of regional reference group meetings have been conducted across the state, canvassing the views of local communities and ascertaining which measures are most appropriate for different areas.
That process will continue throughout 2012 as the Baillieu-Ryan Government remains determined to let communities identify crime prevention strategies that will work best for them.

Lake Eildon and Lake Nagambie will receive funding through the 2010-11 round of the Victorian Government’s Boating Safety and Facilities Program (BSFP), Member for Benalla Bill Sykes announced today.
Dr Sykes said, “Both Lake Eildon and Nagambie have enjoyed increased usage by recreational fishers, boaters and tourists as a result of good lake levels and it is important that facilities are safe for users; this funding will help to ensure this.”
Funding has been allocated for the following projects:
• Lake Nagambie - $14,643 – new navigation buoys for the lake
• Lake Eildon - $21,340 – new navigation buoys for the lake
• Lake Eildon - $113,461 – upgrade boat ramps, access tracks and trailer parking at Lakeside, Main Ramp and Burgan Point boat ramps.
Senior Boating Safety Officer at the Strathbogie Shire, Steve Parsons said, “From our point of view this funding is a great result as it allows improvements in signage and safety aids which will ensure boaters know where they can go and what they can do on Lake Nagambie.”
Jeff Harrison, Co-ordinator Land and On Water at Goulburn Murray Water said the funding for new navigation aids will ensure that Lake Eildon is compliant with Marine Safety regulations.
“The purpose of the buoys and signs on water ways is to make it safer for boaters and assist them to understand the zoning rules that apply.”
Ranger in Charge at the Lake Eildon National Park, Julie Flack said the funding will mean carparks at ramp areas will be able to be resealed and relined making it safer and quicker for the launching and retrieval of boats.
“The number of visitors has been increasing steadily over the last three years with a lot of fishers and recreational users of the lake visiting the area. It will be good to get these projects up and running with works to commence prior to Christmas. It is hoped to complete the works by Easter 2012.”
Dr Sykes said, “This funding is an opportunity to provide great facilities for Victoria’s boating and fishing enthusiasts and to ensure our waterways are safe for all users over the popular summer months.”
The BSFP is funded through a portion of recreational boat operator licensing fees and vessel registration fees, providing money for grants and statewide initiatives. The aim of the program is to make recreational boating safer and more accessible for all Victorians.
For more information about the 2011-12 Boating Safety and Facilities Program contact the Grants Administration Team on 1800 337 222, email boating.grants@transport.vic.gov.au or visit www.transport.vic.gov.au/grants.