Brisbane City Council has announced it will provide $500,000 in grants for sports and community clubs to deliver security improvements following a concerning rise in local anti-social behaviour.
The new Lord Mayor’s Safer Suburbs Grants, promised at the recent election, have opened today with at least 50 clubs expected to benefit in the first round.
The grants are open to all council-leased sports and community clubs and will award up to $10,000 per group to enhance security and deter crime.
Grants can be used to deliver:
- Security screens
- CCTV cameras
- New locks
- Improved patrol services
- Alarm systems
In the past 12 months there have been 15 reports of vandalism and crime at Council facilities compared to just two in the 2021/22 financial year, said Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner.
“Brisbane has the best lifestyle in Australia, but unfortunately crime is a growing problem for everyone, including our sports and community clubs,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Crime is a State Government issue and they need to step up and do more to address this issue, but we are also doing what we can to make our suburbs safer.
“I will always stand up for Brisbane residents against crime, and this first round of Safer Suburbs Grants will help boost safety at around 50 clubs and help their thousands of members.
“The Safer Suburbs Grants are just one of the ways the Schrinner Council is standing up for Brisbane on crime and making the places where we live, work and play safer.
In February, a brazen daylight theft of a cash register occurred at Club Chermside Bowls Club while Mitchelton Football Club had a spate of recent incidents including vandalism, theft and fields with new turf being damaged by cars doing burnouts.
“We will definitely be applying for funding from the new Lord Mayor’s Safer Suburbs Grant, which we would use to get more CCTV cameras,” said Mitchelton Football Club Vice President, Jamie Bowman.
Club Chermside board chairman, Tony Bolf said the club lost both till floats during a recent robbery.
“Club Chermside is a community club, run by the community for the community, and when we are targeted, it hurts all of us,” he said.
“Technology is evolving so quickly that it is challenging for small clubs like ours to stay updated in all areas.
“This robbery, along with a recent spate of vandalism to members’ cars in the car park, has made addressing security at the club a high priority.
“That’s why we will be applying for the Lord Mayor’s Safer Suburbs grant.”
The grants will offer an initial investment of $500,000 each year for the first two years, with further funding to be considered based on community demand.
The Council is also boosting suburban safety with its deployment of mobile and fixed CCTV cameras as part of the new Suburban Safety Cameras program, with the first cameras installed at Mount Coot-tha last month.
Applications for the Lord Mayors Safer Suburbs Grants open Tuesday 6 August and will close Monday 16 September 2024.
Visit the Council website to learn more and apply today –www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/community-and-safety/grants-awards-and-sponsorships/community-grants/lord-mayors-safer-suburbs-grants.
