- Applications for round three of the Safer Communities Fund are now open
- The program delivers on the Coalition’s ongoing commitment to keep Australians safe and secure
- The Coalition Government has committed up to $30 million under round three of the program
Mr Ted O’Brien MP has called on local councils and community organisations on the Sunshine Coast to apply for grants up to $1 million in funding through the Safer Communities Fund.
The Safer Communities Fund is an Australian Government commitment to keep Australians safe and secure by enhancing the efforts of local councils and community organisations to address crime and antisocial behaviour.
Due to the program’s success, the Turnbull Government announced in May an additional $30 million in funding from assets confiscated by the Commonwealth as proceeds of crime.
Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Alex Hawke has announced that grant applications for round three of the Safer Communities Fund are now open.
Local councils and community organisation are invited to apply through the third round of funding for security enhancement projects, including for initiatives such as CCTV, bollards, lighting and crime prevention through environmental design initiatives.
“As well as the infrastructure stream, I’m excited to announce that the third round includes a separate early intervention stream for community organisations to deliver crime prevention or activity based youth engagement projects,” Mr Hawke said
Mr O’Brien said the two funding streams provide a robust example of the Government’s commitment to the safety and security of local communities.
“By empowering local organisations and councils to improve their security infrastructure, addressing crime and anti-social behaviour, the initiative increases perceptions of safety and cohesion, fostering viable and vibrant communities into the future.”
Applications for the infrastructure stream open today and close on 25 September 2018. Information on how to apply for funding is available on the Australian Government’s Safer Communities Fund – Infrastructure Stream website at business.gov.au/safer-communities-fund, or by calling 13 28 46.
Applications under the early intervention stream will open on 28 August 2018 and close on 25 September 2018. Information on how to apply for funding is available on the Australian Government’s Safer Communities Fund – Early Intervention Stream website at business.gov.au/safer-communities-fund-early-intervention or by calling 13 28 46.
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Further information
- Applications for round three of the Safer Communities Fund are now open. Applications close on 25 September 2018.
- The $30 million for Round three will be split across two types of grant opportunities:
- Approximately $18 million for infrastructure grants
- Approximately $12 million for early intervention grants.
- Local councils and community organisations can now apply for a share of approximately $18 million in grants to address crime and anti-social behaviour and to protect organisations that may face risks from racial or religious intolerance.
- Grants of between $1,000 and $1,000,000 are available to deliver local security infrastructure, such as fixed and mobile closed-circuit television (CCTV), lighting and bollards.
- Funding is targeted at crime hotspots to prevent, deter and detect crime, as well as to protect community organisations that are facing security risks associated with racial or religious intolerance.
- The third round includes a separate targeted early intervention stream of approximately $12 million for community organisations to deliver crime prevention or activity‑based youth engagement projects.
- Application information, including Program guidelines, is available for the early intervention stream. Applications under this stream can be submitted from 28 August and also close on 25 September.
- This stream will be limited to Peak Police-Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYCs), blue light organisations and Youth off the Streets.
- Grants of between $200,000 and $2 million are available for projects that engage youth who are, or are at risk of, becoming involved with the criminal justice system and/or projects that increase levels of engagement youth have with their local communities, by building resilience, cultural connections and skills.