The Echuca Neighbour Policing Committee is supporting community safety, and is continuing the push for CCTV coverage in Echuca.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
A group of community safety champions has teamed up with local police in a bid to improve security and reduce crime in Echuca-Moama.
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The Echuca Neighbour Policing Committee was established to ensure residents are, and feel, safe in their homes, around town and on the road.
Victoria Police has partnered with Campaspe Shire Council, business owners, Anglicare Victoria, sporting clubs and more to implement safety strategies with local input.
Senior Sergeant Justin McAuley and Campaspe Police Service Area Inspector Brett Sampson.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
“We need our partnerships to support us,” Campaspe Police Service Area Inspector Brett Sampson said.
“The amazing people that we’ve got in this group are really invested in keeping people safe.”
Local representatives from retailers, licensed venues, the accommodation sector and community groups contribute to the committee, including members from NSW.
One of the group’s priorities is bringing greater CCTV camera coverage to town through the Echuca-Moama Safe Towns Camera Project, which has recently stalled after about four years of hard work.
Committee members have raised $50,000 for the project so far, thanks to contributions from Moama Bowling Club, Echuca KFC and Echuca Workers.
Leo Welch and Campaspe Shire Councillor Tony Marwood at a recent policing committee meeting.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
About $100,000 is still needed to complete the project’s first-stage, which would see cameras installed in and around High St, and contribute to the maintenance and operation of the network.
Leading into this year’s federal election, Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell pledged $150,000 towards CCTV in Echuca if the Coalition took office.
While the Labor Party’s landslide victory wiped out immediate hopes of the commitment being fulfilled, Mr Birrell has continued to advocate for the money.
The funding was proposed to come from a renewed federal Safer Communities Fund, which did not receive funding in the most recent budget, and has not been funded since 2021.
Emily Thorpe, Sam Birrell, David Cunningham, Naomi Murray and Erin Langman at the Echuca CCTV funding announcement in April.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
“I’ve been to (Minister for Regional Development Catherine King’s) office saying, ‘when are we going to get some money into those funding programs?’,” Mr Birrell said.
“We’re not having much success with that at the moment.
“Hopefully, we will be able to keep fighting for it and get a result, hopefully next year.”
Mr Birrell intends to help the Echuca Neighbour Policing Committee apply for a grant if and when the funding is available.
Three stages of the CCTV project have been mapped out by the committee, which would see the entrances into Echuca monitored and further coverage throughout town, helping police to track incidents.
“It’s an amazing initiative, it’s just lacking funding at the moment,” Inspector Sampson said.
“Hopefully, we get funding for it, because that will be a real champion of community safety.”
Community members, groups and local businesses who are able to help the project financially are encouraged to get in contact with the committee.
For more information, email the Committee for Echuca-Moama at ceo@c4em.com.au
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