Better Neighborhoods Policy Released

The Country Liberals have released a Better Neighbourhoods policy outlining a three pronged plan to reduce the impact of anti-social behaviour that is plaguing so many parts of Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs.

Our Better Neighbourhoods policy funds rapid response graffiti teams, overnight laneway closures and strategic safety lighting in partnership with the Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs Councils.

“The aim of this policy is to strip away the thrill of graffiti vandals and close down the suburban haunts of drunks, drug addicts and local gangs,” says Terry Mills, Leader of the Opposition.

“Too many communities are under siege from youth gangs running amok after dark through suburban laneways.

“The Better Neighbourhoods policy will encourage local communities to identifying problem spots and petition the Councils for the overnight closure of the laneways or getting additional lighting in the area.

“The night closure of laneways at the request of local communities will bring some peace of mind back to many residents who have to endure the curse of loud offensive behaviour late into the night.

“The community may prefer the option of strategic safety lighting to reduce the incidence of anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhoods and that too is available via a petition.

“The need to tackle the growing incidence of graffiti vandalism has prompted the Country Liberals’ decision to expand on the Darwin City Council’s graffiti response team.

“It’s well documented that the removing graffiti as soon as possible reduces the thrill the graffiti vandal receives from viewing their handiwork.

“The quick removal of the graffiti also improves the public amenity of an area– we all suffer when forced to look at ugly, offensive graffiti.”

The Country Liberals’ policy is to jointly fund one additional rapid response graffiti team in the Darwin City Council, Palmerston City Council and the Alice Springs Council.

For each initiative, half the funding will be provided by the Territory Government and Councils will fund the other half.

2008-07-23