Greater Geelong Council has adopted a new Community Safety Framework, which outlines the guiding principles for the City’s community safety programs, projects and initiatives going forward.
The framework, which was formulated in collaboration with key stakeholders, community safety networks and the broader community over two stages of community engagement, will be in place until 2026.
The Community Safety Framework’s executive summary states that “the more connected a person is to their local community the safer they feel”.
From that starting point the document outlines its seven guiding principles: social equity; gender equity; evidence-based perspective; safe design principles; occupational health and safety; community engagement; and proactive measures.
The framework also defines the roles and responsibilities of the City, Victoria Police, the community and federal and state governments, stating that “community safety is up to everyone”.
The framework is not, however, a plan for ensuring community safety; it includes no actions or instructions on how to provide safety to Geelong residents.
It is a policy document, an outline of shared responsibilities and the principles any actions taken in the interest of community safety must adhere to over the next four years.
Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan said community safety underpinned overall community resilience and connectivity.
“The aim of the framework is to assist us in supporting the community to feel empowered when it comes to their sense of safety,” Mayor Sullivan said.
“We want our residents and visitors to enjoy everything Greater Geelong has to offer and to live full and healthy lives.”
“We understand that community safety means different things to different people, that’s why it is important for the Community Safety Framework to take a holistic approach to creating a safer community.”
