Brimbank council has refused to release the raft of community concerns that guided its new safety strategy.
Concerns cite worrying increases in drug possession and family violence.
The draft Brimbank Community Safety Strategy, released last Tuesday, identified four priority areas – injury prevention, crime prevention, alcohol and other drugs, and perceptions of safety.
The strategy, to be implemented over four years until 2019, outlines incidents of assault, possession and drug use, property damage and family violence as key markers for making Brimbank safer.
Drug use and possession have increased by 75 per cent in just four years, jumping from 483 incidents in 2010/11 to 849 in 2014/15, according to Crime Statistics Agency figures.
Incidents of property damage have declined by nearly 20 per cent over the same period.
Incidents of family violence have also increased by 36 per cent over the five years from 2010 to 2014.
The council conducted an “extensive consultation process” including six sessions, a stakeholder consultation and internal consultations, and it reviewed nine previously held consultation sessions.
However, the council did not release the details of community feedback when requested by Star Weekly.
Council administrator Jane Nathan said the strategy, which cost $200,000, was a vital document that would help make the community “strong and resilient”.
“We must ensure we have safe homes, safe streets and safe communities,” she said.
