Council and Victoria Police have relaunched the Hobsons Bay Local Safety Committee in partnership with community, business and other government representatives.
The committee, co-chaired by Mayor Cr Daria Kellander and the Local Area Commander, Inspector Damien Madden, had its first meeting at the Altona Police Station on Tuesday, 19 August.
The role of the committee is to identify and help address community safety issues and priorities. The committee brings together a diverse mix of community service, health, and safety organisations, all working in partnership to build a safe and connected Hobsons Bay.
Organisations represented included the Altona Lifesaving Club; Australian Islamic Centre; Cohealth; Department of Families, Fairness and Housing; Hobsons Bay Traders Association; IPC Health; Latitude: Directions for Young People; and Laverton Community Integrated Services.
At its next meeting in October, the group will prioritise projects and outline how it can take steps to creating a safer community. It will then meet quarterly in 2026.
The recent promotion of Neighbourhood Watch by Victoria Police will see representatives join the local safety committee, enhancing local understanding and providing a local voice.
The A Fair Hobsons Bay For All Plan 2024-2028 notes that a safe society is about feeling safe at home, in the street and at work, and highlights the impacts on people's quality of life when their capacity to access personal, social and economic needs are hindered by crime, antisocial behaviours and perceptions of safety.
Quotes attributable to Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Daria Kellander:
"Being able to have a diversity of experience around the table will help us all gain a better understanding of issues that impact our community.
"We know that community safety is of the highest priority in our community and rightfully so. I am looking forward to working as part of the group, to both help inform Council's work and in advocacy for the city.
"A big thank you everyone who agreed to represent our community's needs on the LSC. It is so very much appreciated."
Quotes attributable to Hobsons Bay Local Area Commander, Inspector Damien Madden:
"Community safety is our number one priority, and we look forward to working with Council and local stakeholders to maintain this.
"This partnership will mean we can discuss key issues and work together to address them through a preventative approach."
