By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Bellarine MP Lisa Neville is more concerned about the security of St Kilda’s penguins than her own constituents, according to Weatern Victoria MP Simon Ramsay.
He said allocating $250,000 for CCTV to protect the penguins while failing to fund surveillance cameras for Drysdale showed the Environment Minister was out of touch with her electorate.
Drysdale and Clifton Springs Neighbourhood Watch had raised a required 10 per cent of funding for CCTV cameras in response to rising crime but the State Government denied the group’s requests for an infrastructure grant, Mr Ramsay said.
“It’s baffling that the Andrews Government considers protecting penguins more important than protecting the community of Drysdale,” Mr Ramsay said.
“A quarter of a million dollars has been allocated for CCTV at St Kilda’s penguin colony but the multiple requests to provide this security and safety measure to the Drysdale community continue to fall on deaf ears.
“It can only frustrate Minister Neville’s Bellarine constituents to hear her describe the St Kilda surveillance as crucial when her own constituents are fearful for their safety.
“This town has experienced a 400 per cent rise in assaults since 2012 and a community Neighbourhood Watch has documented more than 15 assaults in the business precinct since the Andrews Government rose to power.
“The reduced opening hours of the Drysdale Police Station and the already stretched police resources allocated for the Bellarine only add to the growing crime rate.
“Residents will tell you that police officers are rarely sighted due to low staffing and a large area to cover from Ocean Grove to Clifton Springs.
“I just think it’s remarkable that the Andrews Government now rates penguin security higher than people security.”
Ms Neville provided a response describing Mr Ramsay’s comments as “absolutely disgraceful and just plain wrong”.
She blamed the former coalition government for neglecting the Drysdale community but made no mention of the camera funding issue.
