Brimbank council should disclose community safety concerns that guided its new safety strategy, according to St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman, herself a recent victim of crime.
Star Weekly has reported that the council will not release details of its community consultation, which guided the Brimbank Community Safety Strategy and identified four priority areas – injury prevention, crime prevention, alcohol and other drugs, and perceptions of safety.
The council undertook an “extensive consultation process” in formulating the strategy.
Star Weekly’s requests to view some of the submissions have so far gone unanswered.
“I would say that, whether documents are released or not, there should always be an explanation and a response.” Ms Suleyman said.
“If it’s not about privacy … and it’s about summarising what was submitted, then I think that’s a fair ask.
“I think locals would also want to know some of the themes that have been submitted.
“Council may look at summarising some of the submissions.”
Ms Suleyman, a St Albans resident whose handbag was stolen on Alfrieda Street last November, said she would like to know what was concerning her constituents.
Recently, the St Albans home of her family members was broken into.
She described the feelings of being invaded when such crimes happen.
“My handbag – they just took it,” she said. “It was on the floor; it was during the election time last November.
“It’s not just an isolated issue for St Albans and Albion – it’s across every area. It’s a real invasion of one’s privacy and personal space to know that somebody has taken their belongings.
“There are all kinds of thefts in Brimbank.”
