Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Mooloolaba Streetsafe project hailed a winner

Working in partnership with the community to increase public safety has paid off for Maroochy Shire Council. Its Mooloolaba Streetsafe Project has seen not only public recognition given to a project aimed at reducing alcohol and drug related problems in the area but it also won the prestigious Queensland Benjamin Drug Prevention Award earlier this year.

The award for drug prevention was established in 1998 by the "Intersectional Committee on Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Misuse" in honour of Monty Benjamin, a pioneer in drug prevention in Queensland.

The award is recognised nationally for highlighting projects that are innovative and effective in the way they prevent social or health problems associated with alcohol and other drug use.

The Mooloolaba Streetsafe program is a co-operative project driven by Queensland Police Service, Maroochy Shire Council, Sunshine Coast Street Angels, Community Solutions, Go Mooloolaba, Mooloolaba Beach Accommodation Group and licensed venue operators.

It involves additional special duty Police officers and Shire Rangers patrolling Mooloolaba on Friday and Saturday evenings, Sunshine Coast Street Angels providing care and support for adults and young children in need, and regular safety audits to identify issues relating to lighting, public transport and responsible hospitality practices by licensed venues.

The Program was originally funded for 12 months by an Area Benefit Levy for property owners in a specific area of Mooloolaba. The levy remained this financial year. It is calculated on the unimproved value of the property in the specified area with the levy on residential properties capped at $50. This levy means the Mooloolaba project receives about $162,000 annually to ensure its success.

The following articles are also included in this edition or go BACK to the main page: