Since 7 January 2013, following the amendment to the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000, smoking has been banned in a number of public outdoor areas, including:

• Within 10 metres of children’s play equipment in an outdoor public place;
• In open areas of swimming pool complexes;
• In spectator areas of sports grounds or other recreational areas during organised sporting events;
• At public transport stops and stations, including the area where people gather or queue to wait for the bus, taxi, or light rail; and
• Within 4 metres of a pedestrian access point to a public building.

The new laws focus on selecting public outdoor settings that are often frequented by children and families, or can be crowded, or where people have limited opportunity to avoid second hand smoke.

Help clean up our local community by reporting intentional damage and graffiti. Intentional damage and graffiti is where property belonging to you or another person is intentionally damaged, destroyed or graffitied and the intention is deliberate, malicious or reckless.

For example:

• Your fence or building has been spray painted or tagged.
• The tyres on your car were slashed when it was parked at the railway station.

1. Council – Phone: 02 6740 2100 (Council property offences)
2. Police Assistance Line (PAL) – Phone: 131 444 - to report private property graffiti/vandalism
3. Crime Stoppers – Phone: 1800 333 000 - to report criminal/suspicious behaviour anonymously
4. Graffiti Hotline – Phone: 1800 707 125 - Free call 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday (Council and private property related offences) www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/graffiti-hotline
5. NSW Police Force Community Portal: https://portal.police.nsw.gov.au

The NSW Government has established an annual state-wide graffiti removal and prevention day known as 'Graffiti Removal Day'. The aim of the day is to encourage people to volunteer their time and get involved in the removal and prevention of graffiti. Graffiti Removal Day occurs in October each year and is a joint initiative between the New South Wales Government and Rotary Down Under.

Check out: 

www.graffitiremovalday.org.au

Graffiti is an act of vandalism and is against the law! Gunnedah Shire Council has a ‘no tolerance’ policy with graffiti related offences and is working with the community to reduce graffiti and to promote the Shire as a clean and attractive community. Council aims to remove any graffiti from its own properties and assets within 48 hours of it being discovered and/or reported. Homeowners are also encouraged to remove graffiti from their own property to discourage offenders.

Penalties Apply - The following penalties can be applied by courts:

• Marking property can attract a fine up to $440, or, for an aggravated offence, $2,200 or 12 months imprisonment
• Possessing a graffiti implement with intent can attract a fine up to $1,100 or six months imprisonment
• Persons under 18 years carrying spray paint cans in public can attract a fine of up to $440 or six months imprisonment
• Bill posting can attract a fine of up to $440

Under the NSW Crimes Act (1900), there are penalties of up to five years in prison for maliciously damaging property.

Travelling away or going on holidays? Don’t forget to:

• Let your neighbours know and arrange for them to keep watch of your property
• Ask someone to collect your mail regularly
• Make arrangements for your pets
• Leave a spare set of keys with someone you trust i.e. friend or family member
• Cancel any regular deliveries such as newspaper
• Set timers for your TV and lights to switch on and off at regular times
• Before you leave double-check that all windows and doors are secure

There are many simple changes you can make to lessen the risk of crime in and around your home and neighbourhood. Practical steps that residents can take to maximise home security are:

• Ensure doors and windows are locked at all times
• Make sure your house and street number are clearly visible from the street
• Empty your letterbox regularly and make sure it is secured
• Lock all gates, garage doors and sheds when not in use
• Install a monitored alarm system and/or security light to deter intruders
• Ensure doors and windows are fitted with security screens
• Avoid hiding a set of house or car keys outside of your home
• Valuables should be engraved and photographed in case of theft
• Record serial numbers of valuables
• Get to know your neighbours

Residents are able to borrow electronic engravers for a two (2) week period to identify their belongings free of charge from the Shire Library. Engraving your valuables will assist police in the identification of stolen goods so they can be returned. You must be a current library member to hire the equipment.

Library contact details:

Gunnedah Shire Library
Telephone: 02 6740 2190
Conadilly Street Gunnedah NSW 2380

The planning and design of residential houses, places, spaces and buildings can assist in reducing crime by the application of improvements to lighting, fencing, landscaping and surveillance of the area from buildings and land use.

Peoples' behaviour, particularly in terms of the possibility of offending, as well as an individual's perception about their safety, can be influenced by the design of an environment. Good design can reduce opportunities for offending and improve feelings of safety.

Gunnedah Shire Council places a high priority on community safety, and is reviewing its 2018-2022 Crime Prevention Plan. In formulating the new plan, Council will measure how strategies applied since 2018 have changed the perception in the community regarding crime and community safety. The new plan will articulate the the community’s key priorities and concerns for our Shire and sets out a clear path for how Council, in partnership with other government and community organisations, including Oxley Local Area Command, Crime Prevention Working Group and Gunnedah Liquor Accord can work towards achieving a crime-free community. The Plan will also outline how we will deliver on addressing domestic and family violence, alcohol related offences, property crime and anti-social offences, such as illegal dumping, vandalism and graffiti.

Community members are encouraged to become familiar with the Crime Prevention Plan 2018-2022.

For more information contact Council’s Community and Social Planner on (02) 6740 2100 or council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

Crime Prevention Plan 2018 - 2022 Under Review - HAVE YOUR SAY!

The Crime Prevention Plan 2018 - 2022 is now under review and Gunnedah Shire Council is encouraging community members to have their say by completing the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crimeandsafety 

Crime Prevention Working Group – Call for Nominations

Interested community members wanting to make a difference in improving the safety amenity of the Gunnedah local government area, while demonstrating a whole of community approach to the reduction and prevention of crime, are encouraged to nominate to be part of the Crime Prevention Working Group.

The Crime Prevention Working Group meets bi-monthly and supports Council in the ongoing implementation of the Shire’s Crime Prevention Plan. Over the years, the Working Group has been a driving force behind the extension of CCTV throughout the CBD, providing input into the ongoing delivery of Council’s obligations for Alcohol Free Zones, and lobbying to state and federal government for changes to domestic violence legislation. The Group has also been involved in the planning and delivery of a number of drug and domestic violence community awareness events including the ‘Say No to Drugs Walk around Wolseley’, ‘Gunnedah Says No to Violence’ messages on Council’s waste and water fleet and the Gunny Get Your Home Secure initiative.

Expression of Interest forms can be obtained from Council’s Administration Building, 63 Elgin Street Gunnedah, or downloaded from www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au. Completed forms may be dropped off at the Council Administration building, submitted via post to PO Box 63, Gunnedah, NSW, 2380 or via email to council@gunnedah.nsw.gov.au.

For more information contact Council’s Community and Social Planner, Debra Hilton on (02) 6740 2100.

The Gunnedah Crime Prevention Working Group was formed in 2000 and is an advisory group of Council that meets bi-monthly. The Working Group adopts a whole of community approach to enhancing community safety and has been associated with a number of initiatives including the following:

• The adoption, by Council, of the Crime Prevention Plan 2014- 2017 and the implementation of key strategies under the Plan
• Lobbying to state and federal members of Parliament for enhancements to community safety initiatives and policy, in particular domestic and family violence
• Delivery of a range of community consultations including safety surveys and workshops
• Implementation of a CBD CCTV Program in Gunnedah CBD and surrounds
• Input into the ongoing implementation of Alcohol Free Zones
• Input to a range of community safety related grant applications
• Gunny Get You Home Safe and Gunny Get Your Home Secure initiatives

The membership of the Working Group is broad and consists of the following:

• Councillors
• Council Staff
• Aboriginal representatives
• Youth representatives
• Community representatives
• Oxley Local Area Command representatives
• Gunnedah Rural Health Service
• Gunnedah PCYC
• Gunnedah & District Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc.

Check out: