Community Safety Plan 2021-2025 - Wollongong 1 - Wollongong City Council
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1 Wollongong Community Safety Plan 2021-2025 Crime Prevention Strategy
2
Acknowledgement
of Country
Wollongong City Council would like to
show their respect and acknowledge the
Traditional Custodians of the Land, Elders
past and present, and to extend that
respect to other Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people.
3
Commitment to Safety
We are committed to creating a safe and vibrant city
where people feel safe and well-connected.
We recognise the importance of a ‘whole of community’
approach and will work with government and non-government
agencies, service providers and the community to increase
safety for our community.
4 Glossary ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics ADF Australian Drug Foundation AFZ Alcohol Free Zone APP Alcohol Prohibited Park ASIT Australian Social Investment Trust ASB Anti-Social Behaviour CALD Culturally and Linguistically Diverse CBD Central Business District CCTV Closed Circuit Television CDAT Community Drug Action Team CPTED Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design DA Development Application GLBTIQ Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer ICADV Illawarra Committee Against Domestic Violence LGA Local Government Area LGCSCPN Local Government Community Safety Crime Prevention Network NAIDOC National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee NSW BOCSAR NSW Bureau Of Crime Statistics And Research PAL Police Assistance Line POPA Prevention of Older Persons Abuse SEIFA Socio-Economic Indexes For Areas TNSW Transport NSW
5 Table of Contents Glossary 4 Lord Mayor Message 6 Introduction 7 Community Safety Plan Summary 8 SECTION 1 9 Background 9 Our approach 10 Connecting with other Council Plans 11 What we want to achieve 11 Who are our partners? 12 What our community told us 14 What have we done in the last four years? 15 SECTION 2 18 Moving Forward: the next four years 18 What do the Local Government Area (LGA) crime rankings mean? 18 Community Safety and Crime Prevention Action Plan 2021 - 2025 19 APPENDICES 31 Appendix 1: Crime Profile 31 Appendix 2: Demographic Profile 45 References 48
6 Lord Mayor Message I am pleased to present our Community Safety Plan 2021-2025. A Community Safety Plan is an important document – it sets out the how we can help everyone in our city to be, and feel, safe no matter where they are or what they’re doing. Whether a person feels safe in a place can be influenced by many factors including the physical environment, time of day and location itself. This Plan sets out how we’re focusing on safety as an essential criteria in all new developments, infrastructure and public space projects. We are committed to putting safety front and centre when considering design, lighting and landscaping. This Plan builds on the achievements and key learnings of our previous Community Safety Plans. We’re proud to demonstrate leadership and play an active role in community safety, and are committed to building, maintaining and promoting Wollongong as a safe, vibrant and welcoming city. Community safety relies on effective collaboration between Council and residents, NSW Police, community groups, local businesses and various other organisations at the local, state and federal levels. We will continue to work closely with a range of partners to help prevent crime, address safety concerns and encourage activated spaces and connected communities. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their personal experiences and ideas for making Wollongong an even better place to live work and play as we developed this Plan. Your feedback, along with research and crime data, has influenced the final document. Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM
7
Introduction
The Community Safety Plan 2021-2025 outlines Wollongong City Council’s commitment to promoting Wollongong as
a safe and vibrant city, emphasising the importance of a ‘whole of community’ approach to fostering places where
people feel safe and well-connected. The Plan has been informed by research and evidence, using information
provided through community engagement as well as data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research
(NSW BOCSAR) and local Police. We have analysed this information and identified key community safety and crime
prevention priorities for Wollongong.
HOW TO READ THIS PLAN
The Community Safety Plan 2021-2025 is presented in two sections:
SECTION 1 SECTION 2
Explains how Wollongong City Describes what crimes and can have a major impact on their
Council approaches crime behaviours will be targeted from quality of life and interaction within
prevention and improves community 2021 to 2025. The Community Safety the community.
safety. Details about our partners and Crime Prevention Action Plan
Appendices are included showing
are included, describing how we sits in this section showing the
who lives in the Wollongong LGA
work with them and the community actions that will be implemented to
and what crimes have impact on our
to make the Wollongong local address each crime and the rationale
community.
government area (LGA) a safer for prioritising these crimes.
place. An overview of the actions
The community’s perceptions
and outcomes delivered from the
and fear of crime is also included
Community Safety Plan 2016-2020
acknowledging how safe people feel
are also presented.
8
Community Safety Plan Summary
The actions in the Community Safety The crimes that are the focus of the by NSW BOCSAR.
Plan 2021-2025 aim to reduce crime and Community Safety Plan 2021-2025
The priority crime terms are in keeping
improve community safety. Improving have been chosen based on issues and
with those reported by the NSW BOCSAR.
community safety requires a whole of concerns highlighted by the community,
Council approach, support from partners consultation with NSW Police and crime
and the community. trends in the Wollongong LGA as reported
Priority Crime Project Lead agency Expected outcome
and partners
1. PROPERTY & Reduce damage to property Wollongong City Improved perception of safety and
ENVIRONMENT including graffiti by reducing Council, NSW pride in place due to a reduction
the opportunities for it to occur Police, NSW in graffiti across the LGA and in
TARGET CRIME: and making it less rewarding for Department of graffiti hot spots.
Malicious damage offenders. Communities and
including graffiti Justice, Corrective
Encourage reporting of malicious
damage including graffiti. Services of NSW,
the business
sector and
residents.
2. GENDERED Reporting of domestic assault Illawarra Reporting of domestic violence
VIOLENCE increases due to campaigns that Committee will increase.
raise awareness and promote Against Domestic Attendance figures for annual
TARGET CRIME: support services in Wollongong. Violence (ICADV),
Domestic assault ICADV events continue to rise.
Education and support relating to Wollongong City
Council, NSW Council’s policies and practices
elder abuse is promoted. reflect the ten Child Safe
Police, business,
Child Safe Standards, established community. Standards.
by the Royal Commission, are
embedded into Council policy.
3. ANTISOCIAL Opportunities for alcohol related NSW Police, Wollongong continues to show
BEHAVIOUR assault are reduced as a result Wollongong a decreasing trend regarding
of community education and City Council, incidents of alcohol related
TARGET CRIME: community partnership strategies. Wollongong assaults in the CBD and other
Non-domestic Liquor Accord, hotspots.
assault (alcohol Anti-social behaviour (ASB)
including intimidation, stalking and Community Drug People feel safer across the LGA.
related) Action Team
harassment is reduced through Incidents of reported and actual
Intimidation, stalking the activation of Wollongong Crown (CDAT), residents,
community groups ASB are reduced.
and harassment Street Mall and other public places
that are otherwise underused or and the business
isolated from regular activity. sector.
4. PERSONAL Community awareness is raised NSW Police, Increased awareness of the
PROPERTY regarding trends targeting personal Wollongong frequency of fraud and types of
property for the specific offences City Council, incidents occurring.
TARGET CRIME: of; fraud, steal from motor vehicle Community groups
Fraud Incidents of steal from motor
and motor vehicle theft. and business vehicle are reduced.
Steal from motor sector.
Reduction in the number of steal Incidents of motor vehicle theft
vehicle from motor vehicle offences and via stolen keys is reduced.
Motor vehicle theft the correlating fraud offences
linked through use of contactless
payment systems.
People are securing their keys,
cars and homes to help reduce
fraud, steal from motor vehicle
and motor vehicle theft.
5. Perceived and actual Feelings of safety by residents Wollongong City Residents feel safer.
community safety across the LGA are improved. Council.
9
SECTION 1
Background
WHAT IS COMMUNITY SAFETY? OUR APPROACH Social Prevention:
This approach focuses on creating
People feel safer when they can There are a range of crime prevention
contribute to life outside their homes a more inclusive society where all
approaches Council implements in
and can participate without fear. Making people feel they belong and are valued.
collaboration with our community
public spaces safe places is a focus Belonging to a place, a society, a
partners:
of community safety. Council also has community, means people are less likely
a role in improving safety in privately Situational Prevention: to commit crimes against neighbours
owned places, such as hotels, bars and This approach reduces the opportunities or vandalise neighbourhoods they feel
clubs and private homes. to commit crime and increases the risks proud of and live in.
Council works with government and of getting caught.
Activating Space:
non-government agencies, service Some examples of this approach This approach turns underused public
providers and the community to develop
include: spaces into spaces that are used
and implement strategies to increase
regularly by the community. Public
safety for our community. • Trimming trees and vegetation for
places that are used regularly by the
clear sight lines making it harder to
community reduces opportunities for
WHAT IS CRIME PREVENTION? hide
crime or anti-social behaviour. Markets,
Crime prevention is about reducing • Removing graffiti so a place feels public art and exercise groups are
opportunities for people to commit safer because it’s not neglected examples of activating space.
crime.
• Providing additional or improved Community Development
Crime prevention strategies seek to lighting where appropriate and Early Intervention:
ensure new building and open space
Using this approach, Council works with
refurbishments are designed to make • Planting ‘green screens’ along walls to
committing crime more difficult, less specific communities or groups to ‘help
make it harder to graffiti
rewarding and riskier. It also focuses them, help themselves’ to reduce crime
on making public space more appealing • Using public art to improve the look and improve safety. These are usually
and friendlier so they are more likely to and feel of a place long-term strategies with partner
be used. • Activating public spaces so more agencies and the community to improve
people are out and about the physical and social environments of
Crime prevention programs and projects
focus on educating people about ways to specific neighbourhoods.
prevent crime and increase participation
in community life.
10
Approaches to Crime Prevention
Primary Crime Prevention
Situational Prevention Social Prevention
• Design goods and services with crime • Alleviating poverty
prevention in mind.
• Improving health and education
• Crime Prevention through Environmental
• Reducing unemployment
Design (CPTED). For example, urban design
that considers lighting, improved sightlines, • School based programs
trimmed trees, green screening and place
• Organising community safety groups
based public art to minimise opportunities for
crime to occur.
Activating Space
Events, community participation and public art activities are examples that
combine aspects of situational and social crime prevention principles.
Secondary Tertiary
Crime Prevention Crime Prevention
Working
Criminal with
Community Early Justice Offender victims
Development Intervention System Program of crime
• Longer term strategy • Early identification of
to foster community potential offenders
shared ownership of
• Targeting high risk
crime and solutions
neighbourhoods
• Process of community
• Programs for youth
engagement
at risk
Diagram 1: Approaches to Crime Prevention11
Connecting to other Council Plans
The Community Safety Plan 2021-2025 THE OBJECTIVES FOR THIS GOAL ARE:
is underpinned by and supports Our
• There is an increase in the health and
COMMUNITY
Wollongong 2028. Our Wollongong 2028
wellbeing of our community.
STRATEGIC PLAN
is a long-term community strategic
A 10 year plan that
plan developed in consultation with • Participation in recreational and identifies our community’s
communities from across the LGA. There lifestyle activities is increased. priorities and vision for
are six goals included in this Plan, Goal 5 the future
specifically relates to community safety: • Residents have improved access to a
We have a healthy community in a range of affordable housing options.
liveable city. • Community safety and community
perception of safety is improved.
THE STATEMENT FOR THIS GOAL IS:
• The public domain is maintained to a Wollongong
Community
Safety Plan
Our community is safe, healthy and high standard. 2021-2025
happy. The city provides diverse and
Crime Prevention Strategy
accessible recreation and lifestyle Other strategic plans of Council
activities to foster community wellbeing that reinforce the goals of Our Wollongong Edition 2 / August / 2020
for people of all ages, abilities, cultural
Prepared by Community Partnerships and Safety Team
2028 and include aspects of community
Community Cultural and Economic Development
Wollongong City Council
backgrounds and personal challenges. safety include:
Our people thrive with a sense of self SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
and a connection to place. We enjoy the • Places for People Wollongong Social Interconnected documents that reinforce
relaxed pace, opportunities for being Infrastructure Framework 2018-2028 the goals of Our Wollongong 2028 and
with family and friends, helping our include aspects of community safety.
• Creative Wollongong 2019-2024
neighbours and meeting new people.
We encourage informal and lifelong • City of Wollongong Pedestrian Plan Council is developing a Child Safe
learning and we share a common goal 2017-2021 Wollongong implementation plan to
to make Wollongong a place where as a • A City for People - Wollongong Public embed child safety into all aspects
minimum, all resident’s basic needs are of Council’s business. This Plan will
Spaces Public Life
met and our quality of life improved. respond to the Royal Commission into
• City Centre Wayfinding Strategy Institutional Response to Child Sexual
Abuse recommendations and recognises
• Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2020-2025
a city that is safe for children is safe for
• Public Toilet Strategy 2019-2029 everyone.
What we want to achieve
Council made a commitment to improve and non-government partners and the
community safety and reduce crime in business sector to:
the 1990’s. In 2000, Council adopted
• Improve actual and perceived
a Crime Prevention Policy which was
community safety
amended in 2013 and reviewed every
three years. • Embed community safety strategies
across the whole of Council
The Community Safety Plan 2021-2025
is a strategic plan of actions aimed to • Reduce crimes that have the highest
reduce specific crimes and improve impact in our area
safety and perceptions of safety across
the LGA. The Plan guides Council’s
work with the community, government12
Who are our partners?
Crime prevention and community safety, at its most effective, requires a whole of Council approach. Many Council divisions
contribute to reducing opportunities for crime and improving community safety.
INTERNAL PARTNERS:
Council Division Community Safety Activities
Regulation and Enforcement Animal control, illegal dumping, noise control, parking.
Development Assessment and Certification Assess development applications city wide using controls
such as Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
(CPTED), traffic management and pedestrian safety.
Community, Cultural and Economic Development Community development officers specialising in
community safety, community safety audits, Aboriginal,
multicultural, cultural, aged and disability, graffiti
prevention, youth and place-based communities.
City wide events coordination such as Viva la Gong,
NAIDOC, Refugee, Seniors and Youth Weeks, Australia Day
and New Year’s Eve.
Public art and delivery of Creative Wollongong.
Economic and business development
Alcohol Free Zones and graffiti removal and prevention.
Property and Recreation Lifeguards and water safety education.
Temporary CCTV.
Open Space and Environmental Services Bush fire and flood mitigation.
Planting and trimming of trees.
City Works Graffiti and rubbish removal.
Maintenance of public spaces.
Infrastructure Strategy and Planning Road safety.
CCTV operations and management.
Lighting.13
EXTERNAL PARTNERS
External organisations play a key role in supporting Council initiatives. Similarly, Council supports strategies and initiatives that
are originated by other agencies and the business sector.
External Partners Activities
NSW Police Community Safety Precinct meetings.
(Lake Illawarra and Wollongong Police Districts)
Community Safety Audits.
Representation on Council’s Community Safety Reference
Group.
Joint projects including place-based and targeted projects.
Illawarra Committee Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) White Ribbon and Reclaim the Night campaigns.
Domestic and family violence education and awareness
raising.
Community Drug Action Team (CDAT) Community, government and non-government interagency
meetings implementing projects such as Creating Synergy
Conference.
Local Government Community Safety and Crime Information sharing across NSW Councils.
Prevention Network (LGCSCPN)
Education and conferences.
Wollongong Liquor Accord Joint strategies and projects to promote responsible
drinking behaviour that improves community safety and
amenity.
NSW Department of Communities and Justice Funding partner for Community Safety Plan initiatives.
Compact with the NSW Attorney General.
NSW Corrective Services Graffiti Removal Partner.
Dapto Rotary Club Graffiti Removal Partner.
Specialist non-government agencies Partners in place-based and other community development
programs including graffiti prevention programs targeting
crimes and anti-social behaviours across the LGA.14
What our community told us
Council relies on information and Community Safety Precinct meetings All this information has been collated
intelligence from our community and are held, and Wollongong and Lake and analysed to develop actions to
partners. Community members from Illawarra Police share crime intelligence reduce specific crimes and improve
across the LGA were asked if they have with Council officers, Chambers safety. The Community Safety Plan 2021-
ever felt unsafe and why. Surveys and of Commerce members and other 2025 was placed on public exhibition
focus groups with specific communities community stakeholders. in 2020 for community feedback and
were undertaken to find out more reviewed before being adopted by
Information on crime data is also
about personal safety in public and how Council.
accessed from the NSW BOCSAR and
Council can improve safety for everyone.
demographic data from the Australian
Council work in collaboration with Lake Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Illawarra and Wollongong Local Police
Districts. Each quarter, NSW Police
WHAT THE NSW POLICE TOLD US Alcohol-related assault is another abuse or harassment, hearing domestic
crime (Assault-non DV) that both Police violence close by, assault and retail theft.
Wollongong and Lake Illawarra Police
Districts recommend should be a key People experienced fear of crime when
provided us with detailed analysis of
focus. These crimes have decreased streets were empty or dark or because
crime in our region. They reported
significantly in Wollongong over the they witnessed concerning behaviour by
steal from motor vehicles and fraud
last five years, however they are often others in public, for example, shouting,
are continuing crimes for both Police
connected to domestic violence, sexual fighting, public drunkenness or what
Districts. Both Police Districts deliver
assault and indecent assault, which they believed to be drug affected people.
regular campaigns to educate the
appear to be increasing and targeted by
community about locking vehicles and A Perception of Safety Survey was
NSW Police.
removing valuables from cars. Many of undertaken in 2017. This survey asked
these reported crimes are opportunistic Intimidation, stalking and harassment, is
the community about experiences of
and perpetrators have targeted a complex category both Police Districts
crime and feelings about safety in two
suburban streets and city car parks, recommend Council continues to work in
parts; in the city and in neighbourhoods.
looking for unlocked vehicles. Wallets partnership with them on. International
Overall, 354 people responded, evenly
with credit and debit cards are taken circumstances sometimes leads to an
divided between the city and the
and used fraudulently, especially at increase in harassment and abuse in
suburbs. Over 60% of survey participants
service stations and other retailers. The public of community members based on
felt safe both day and night in both types
maximum limit without needing a PIN appearance.
of locations and felt places with lots
(Personal Identification Number) has of people engaging in social activities
recently increased to $250. Stolen motor WHAT THE COMMUNITY TOLD US were the safest. Those participants who
vehicles also leads to fraud. Vehicles are Council’s online community safety felt unsafe suggested it was a result
stolen after a home break-in where car surveys were completed by over of witnessing aggressive behaviour
keys, on display and easily accessible, 400 community members, providing and fighting in public, being close to
are used to steal the car. Despite public responses relating to feeling safe, and people who appeared drug or alcohol
campaigns to hide car keys at home, this experiences of crime or anti-social affected as well as being in places that
crime continues. behaviour in public. Over the last two felt neglected and isolated. Survey
years, 54% of those who responded participants suggested crimes that
Both Police Districts recognise the
to safety surveys felt unsafe in public made them feel unsafe included drug
need for Council to continue working
at various locations across the LGA. related offences and vehicle related
to eliminate gendered violence against
Results from a survey conducted crimes.
women. Domestic violence and sexual
in March 2020 indicated those who
assault are crimes that show local
felt unsafe had either witnessed or
increases. Whether this is due to greater
experienced crime. The experiences
reporting by victims and survivors,
of crime included vehicles broken into,
NSW Police operations or because it is
attempted home invasion, stalking,
occurring more frequently is unclear.
verbal abuse and harassment, sexual15
What have we done in the last four years?
Council’s Community Safety Reference • Assessing new building development
Group meets bi-monthly bringing applications and refurbishment
together NSW Police, government of outdoor spaces from a CPTED
and non-government agencies and perspective to reduce graffiti
community members. These meetings opportunities.
provide the opportunity to share • Auditing shops licensed to sell aerosol
information, discuss issues relating paint to ensure each retailer is
to community safety and implement following legislative requirements.
strategies with partners. Over the last
• Implementation of specialist graffiti
four years, Council has worked with the
prevention training in schools
community and partners to implement
reaching over 600 students. As a
programs and strategies to address the
result, more than 95% of participants
key areas identified in the Community
think graffiti is no longer “cool”
Safety Plan 2016-2020, which included: and 89% have changed their minds
• Malicious damage including graffiti. about doing graffiti. Schools who
participated in the training were from
• Assault (domestic violence). areas of high graffiti activity.
• Assault (non-domestic violence- • 236 graffiti inspections have been
alcohol related). carried out on Council property.
• Anti-social behaviour (ABS) including Council partners with community
harassment, threatening and offensive organisations and government
behaviour. agencies to remove graffiti from
sporting clubhouses, private property
• Perceived and actual community and fences across the LGA.
safety.
• Community members have
participated in graffiti removal each
MALICIOUS DAMAGE, year on National Graffiti Removal Artist: Anthony Jones, graffiti prevention
INCLUDING GRAFFITI Day. Council provides partners with artwork panels on Memorial Drive, Woonona
Council recognises the negative impact paint, removal kits and other essential
graffiti and malicious damage has equipment to keep graffiti and tagging ASSAULT (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE)
on the community and the business to a minimum.
sector. Graffitied and broken outdoor In 2019, in response to a request from
• Murals have been created by artists ICADV, Council waived pool fees for
furniture, fences, bus shelters and
and communities across the LGA on families escaping violence. These
other buildings leave people feeling
amenity blocks, fences and Council families are often financially stressed
unsafe and vulnerable. This results in
works caravans. These mural and and enabling access to recreational
perceptions by the community that a
art installations reduce tagging, keep facilities and services reduces isolation,
place is unguarded. Council continues to
neighbourhoods feeling well cared for eases financial burden and improves
implement initiatives to reduce graffiti
and graffiti free. wellbeing. The opportunity was accessed
and other damage, and to support
communities in taking control of their • Transport NSW worked with Council to by families staying in temporary
own environment. Some of these create large art murals on the sound accommodation near the pool and
initiatives include: insulation panels along Memorial contributed to normalising life after
Drive, Woonona. These panels domestic violence.
• Rapid graffiti removal on Council
were frequently tagged before the Council worked with ICADV to support
property.
installation of the artworks. Since the delivery of a Culturally and
• Encouraging community to report the artworks have been completed, Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Domestic
graffiti as well as providing graffiti minimal tagging has occurred. Violence Forum in 2019. The forum
removal packs so people can investigated ways to reduce barriers for
remove graffiti from their property, CALD families to access mainstream
particularly fences and garage walls. domestic violence support services in
• Continuing the City Centre Special the Illawarra.
Rate Levy to fund daily rapid removal
of graffiti in Wollongong’s CBD.16
Council is a member of Illawarra
ASSAULT - NON-DOMESTIC of alcohol such as music festivals and
sporting events. Alcohol management
Committee Against Domestic Violence
(ICADV), attending meetings and
(ALCOHOL RELATED) plans are reviewed and meetings are held
supporting committee strategies such Council is committed to continuing the with event organisers to ensure processes
as Reclaim the Night and Illawarra downward trend in the levels of alcohol are in place to reduce alcohol related
White Ribbon Walk. Reclaim the Night related violence across the city. A range incidents and emphasise safety of patrons.
is an annual event to raise awareness of of projects and strategies have been Comments and conditions to manage
sexual violence against women, which undertaken to achieve this. alcohol consumption and maintain
brings together several hundred people I Belong in the Gong is a community safety patron safety are included in the Council
marching and rallying through Crown project designed to make Wollongong approvals.
Street Mall. The White Ribbon Walk is CBD a safer place, particularly at night, Wollongong Liquor Accord meetings are
coordinated on alternate years with for people visiting, shopping and living attended regularly and projects related
Shellharbour City Council. Each year, in Wollongong’s CBD. Funded by NSW to alcohol management are presented to
school students from across the Illawarra Department of Communities and Justice, ensure collaboration and cooperation with
lead the march and take the White Ribbon the project encouraged small bars, Accord members.
Oath to end gendered violence against cafes and hotels in Wollongong’s CBD to
women. commit to keeping patrons safe. Local ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB),
small bars that joined the project received
This event is always well attended, and
training, signed a charter and displayed
INCLUDING HARASSMENT,
across the Illawarra, white ribbons are
a decal in their shopfront to indicate
THREATENING AND OFFENSIVE
worn by many Council workers to show
their commitment to safety. Participating BEHAVIOUR
solidarity in the fight to end violence
establishments said they were more Anti-social behaviour (ASB) affects most
against women. people at some time in their lives. The
likely to talk with people who appeared
distressed, instead of feeling unequipped impact can vary from inconvenient to
to help. 17 small bars have joined the I frightening or threatening. ASB includes
Belong in the Gong campaign and alcohol behaviours that others find intimidating
related assaults continue to decline in in public, like swearing, fighting, verbal
Wollongong LGA with a ten-year declining abuse and public drunkenness. ASB can
trend of 7.8%. change how people feel in public and
potentially where people go.
The I Belong in the Gong campaign was
recognised through the National Awards The Women’s Safety Project was
for Local Government, awarded the winner developed to address the impact of
of the Prevention and Community Safety ASB on women in Wollongong’s CBD.
category. Working with partner organisations
and interagency meetings, such as the
Another strategy of I Belong in the Gong
Illawarra Refugee Issues Forum (IRIF), the
was a lighting audit within the CBD.
intimidation women were experiencing in
The audit was conducted to investigate
the city was revealed and the subsequent
current pedestrian pathways to transport
impact and fear as a result.
hubs in the city at night. While most of
Wollongong’s CBD is well lit, some key The Women’s Safety Project aim was
paths leading from the centre can be to create a more inclusive and tolerant
dark. The lighting audit has resulted in an Wollongong. The Women’s Safety Survey
integrated approach to lighting upgrades showed that while 52% or 171 women
across the city including switching on and indicated they felt safe in the Crown Street
fixing broken lights in key places in the Mall, only 32% or 106 had not experienced
city. New festive lights have been installed some form of harassment, which was
to make a well-used pedestrian pathway mostly verbal. The I Belong in the Gong
brighter and a more attractive path to campaign was part of the project and
travel. Outdoor car park lights have been focused on working with businesses
audited and upgrades continue. to educate them on how to support
patrons and create a safe environment
Council has re-established Alcohol Free
free from harassment or intimidation.
Zones (AFZ) and established new Alcohol
A sticker appears in the shop front of
Prohibited Areas (APA), where required.
supportive establishments indicating they
There are currently seven AFZ’s located
are places in which you can get help if
in Helensburgh, Thirroul, Corrimal,
feeling threatened.17 small bars and 15
Wollongong, Warrawong, Berkeley and
retail stores and cafes participated in the
Dapto. The AFZ’s will be reviewed in 2022.
campaign and Crown Street Mall security
Monitoring is undertaken for large scale guards created inhouse training to ensure
Reclaim The Night and White Ribbon Walk
commercial events that include the sale staff knew appropriate responses and how
banners17
to provide support for women who needed The CCTV Policy and Code of Practice has The Bellambi Collective Impact program
their assistance. A series of television been updated to include temporary CCTV. has been operating for over four years
commercials were developed and aired CCTV, both permanent and temporary, can and continues. Within that time, Council
on a local station which showed women be a successful strategy in reducing crime, has refurbished the ocean pool and sea
doing ordinary activities in iconic locations if selected appropriately. Within the last wall, upgraded the children’s playground,
saying, “we all belong in the Gong”. A four years Council has been investigating improved safety facilities at the pool car
key objective being to challenge cultural ways to expand our CCTV network into park, upgraded facilities at Bellambi
stereotypes, reducing harassment and parks and playgrounds in the suburbs. Surf Life Saving Club, and improved
increasing inclusion. While not desirable to install CCTV landscaping and removed weeds along the
everywhere, it may be possible to move shared cycle path. Monthly safety group
ONGOING INITIATIVES TO KEEP temporary CCTV to places they are needed meetings with community members are
WOLLONGONG A SAFE PLACE the most, for a specified time. held focused on removing rubbish in the
Council assesses large scale development area. Graffiti and traffic safety are other
Council regularly upgrades infrastructure,
applications using CPTED principles. key areas that have been improved by
facilities and public open spaces. Car park
New builds, open space refurbishments teaching and supporting the community to
lighting upgrades have been completed
and upgrades are assessed to ensure remove graffiti, create murals, as well as
committing crime is made more and pedestrian paths and cycle paths are
improving pedestrian safety on the main
difficult, less rewarding and more continuing to be constructed across the
arterial road into the suburb.
likely for criminals to be caught. It also LGA, connecting the community in safer
focuses on making public space more and healthier ways. The Warrawong Collective Impact program
appealing, so they are more likely to resulted in a partnership approach with
Over the last two years, the NSW Motor
be used. Having more people in public relevant government agencies working
Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC)
reduces the opportunity for crime and together to streamline how rubbish is
has asked Council to coordinate the
anti-social behaviour. Over the last four removed in Warrawong and Bundaleer
delivery of ‘Operation Bounce Back’, a
years, over 700 safety assessments housing estates. The ongoing achievement
media campaign aimed at reducing theft
have been conducted on new builds, has resulted in a stronger sense of civic
from motor vehicles. The campaign raised
developments and refurbishments of pride and support for regular rubbish
awareness about the rising trend of car
public spaces. Assessments were also removals.
completed on liquor licence applications keys being stolen from dwellings, after a
break and enter. Television advertisements Council’s City Centre Team focuses on
for major events to increase safety and
were delivered over a two-month period in activating Wollongong’s Crown Street
reduce potential negative impacts. Safety
both 2019 and 2020. Total airtime reached Mall, holding regular Safer City Centre
audits have been conducted across the
in 2019 was 961 advertisements and in Working Group meetings to develop
LGA, which informs refurbishments and
2020 was 1967 advertisements. strategies to improve safety and amenity
upgrades of Council owned and managed
properties. for all Crown Street Mall users. The
Council implements place-based Working Group delivered a successful
Community safety audits are conducted initiatives to improve safety outcomes. initiative to improve outcomes for
when requested, to determine what is Long term Collective Impact strategies disadvantaged community members
needed to make a place safer. Sometimes were implemented in Bellambi and through offering free coffees in a
community safety audits are done for a Warrawong involving many government discreet location within the CBD. The
group of streets, or for a laneway or new and non-government partners working initiative provided a space for people to
pedestrian path. The audits are primarily with the community to design and execute meet, drink coffee together and access
undertaken in partnership with NSW actions to fulfil community aspirations and services and support mechanisms that
Police and generally include community goals. Improving community safety was might have been more difficult to access
members who live in or near the site. one of those aspirations. in other situations.
Launch of I belong in the Gong campaign 2018 Bellambi Community Safety Group18
SECTION 2
Moving forward: the next four years
The Community Safety Plan 2021-2025 • Gendered violence - domestic assault impact on the local community. It is
outlines Council’s commitment to creating recognised that many crimes are under
• Anti-social behaviour (ASB) - non-
a safe and vibrant city and recognises the reported to NSW Police, which means
domestic assault (alcohol related) &
importance of a ‘whole of community’ crime statistics are not reflective of the
intimidation, stalking and harassment
approach to fostering places where real numbers of incidents and the real
people feel safe and well-connected. The • Personal property - fraud, steal from impact to the community.
Plan has been informed by research and motor vehicle, motor vehicle theft
Developing strategies and implementing
evidence, using information provided Priority for community safety: projects that reduce crime and increase
through community engagement as well
• Perceived and actual community safety the perception of safety will improve the
as data from NSW BOCSAR and local
community’s feelings of safety, reduce
Police. Key community safety and crime Many of the crimes targeted in the Plan their fear of crime and positively impact on
prevention priorities for Wollongong are interrelated. For example, alcohol their quality of life.
have been identified and the following related assault often goes hand-in-hand
Community Safety and Crime Prevention with anti-social behaviours. Anti-social
Action Plan sets out our focus for the next behaviours can also include malicious
four years. damage and graffiti and theft from a
motor vehicle often results in fraud.
The priorities in the Community Safety and
Crime Prevention Action Plan are: The majority of crimes targeted in this
Community Safety and Crime Prevention
Priority crimes:
Action Plan have not shown an upward
• Property & environment - malicious trend over the last five-year period,
damage including graffiti however they continue to have a significant
What do the LGA crime rankings mean?
The NSW BOCSAR rank LGAs in NSW An LGA ranked #1 out of 120 (or close to
that have populations greater than the top) for any reported crime has the
3,000. In 2020, NSW BOCSAR reported highest incidents of that crime against the
there are 120 such LGAs. population rate.
Rankings are statistical equations A ranking for a particular crime that has
that factor in the number of incidents a larger number indicates a community
of reported crime against a rate per with fewer reported incidents of that crime
100,000 population. per population. Therefore, the larger the
ranking number the better.19
Community Safety and Crime Prevention
Action Plan 2021-2025
1. Priority: Property & Environment
Target offence: Malicious damage including graffiti
Project: Reduce damage to property including graffiti by reducing opportunities for it to occur and making it
less rewarding for offenders.
Encourage reporting of malicious damage including graffiti.
Rationale: 9,897 incidents of graffiti were reported to Wollongong City Council’s Graffiti Line over the last four years.
Wollongong LGA is ranked 61 out of 120 LGAs in NSW*.
Hot spot suburbs recorded significantly higher numbers of incidents for malicious damage than the
state average*.
Objective: To reduce graffiti and malicious damage.
To increase reporting of graffiti to Council’s Graffiti Line.
Lead Agency/partners: Wollongong City Council, NSW Police, NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ),
Corrective Services NSW, Wollongong business community.
Expected outcome: Improved perception of safety and pride in place due to a reduction in graffiti across the LGA and in
graffiti hot spots.
* Crime profile Appendix 1 NSW BOCSAR (2020)20
Action Performance Measures Timeframes Funding Partners Milestones
1.1 Assess building • Number of development Ongoing Existing • Development • All major building
development application referrals with operational Assessment and development applications
applications graffiti controls completed. budget Certification are referred by
against Crime Development Assessment
Prevention Through and Certification for
Environmental Design Crime Prevention Through
controls to minimise Environment Design
graffiti opportunities assessment.
1.2 Conduct rapid • Non-offensive graffiti is Ongoing Special Rates • City Works • The CBD is free of offensive
removal of graffiti removed within a week in Levy graffiti every day.
• Community partners
on Council assets the CBD and Special Rates
Existing • All non-offensive or
Levy boundary.
operational other types of graffiti are
• 100% of offensive graffiti on budget removed from Council
Council assets is removed assets across the LGA.
within 24 working hours of
it being reported.
• Non-offensive and other
types of graffiti across the
LGA are removed from
Council assets within one to
twenty days.
1.3 Support the • Record the number of Ongoing Existing • Community Partners • Asset owners contribute to
removal of graffiti graffiti removal kits operational the removal of graffiti on
• Community and
from non-Council provided to asset owners to budget their own assets.
government agencies
assets assist in removing graffiti.
• External agencies continue
• Incidents of graffiti given to partner with Council in
to partner agencies are removing graffiti on non-
removed by those agencies. Council assets.
• Review and investigate • Review of graffiti removal
graffiti removal by Council on private fences by
officers to incorporate Council completed.
private fences that face onto
Council parks and reserves.
Table continues overleaf.Action Performance Measures Timeframes Funding Partners Milestones
1.4 Conduct place-based • Participate in and promote Conducted Existing • Place-based community • Community participates in
graffiti prevention Graffiti Removal Day. annually operational organisations removing graffiti in their
projects in graffiti hot budget own neighbourhoods.
• Graffiti reduction and • NSW Police
spot areas
prevention projects are External • Warner Youth Graffiti and
• Warner Youth Graffiti and
conducted as appropriate. funding, when Education Program is
Education
secured contracted.
• Contract with graffiti
• Participating schools
prevention education • School mural projects are
providers to run graffiti undertaken.
prevention programs in
identified schools and
follow up with mural
projects that includes the
students.
1.5 Participate • Graffiti prevention murals Ongoing Existing • Cultural Services • Graffiti prevention murals
in arts-based involving collaborative operational are completed.
• Community Partnerships
graffiti prevention community input for design budget
and Safety • Perception of Safety Survey
partnership projects are undertaken.
Transport NSW indicates people feel safer
• Murals to be painted on funding when art replaces graffiti.
traffic signal boxes to
• Traffic signal boxes painted.
reduce the incidence of
graffiti.
1.6 Promote Council’s • The numbers of reports to Ongoing Existing • Wollongong City Council • Community reports graffiti
Graffiti Line to report Graffiti Line over 4 years operational Customer Service using Graffiti Line.
incidents of graffiti has increased. budget
and other malicious
damage
1.7 Conduct community • All customer service Ongoing Existing • NSW Police • To reduce graffiti, place-
safety audits requests for community operational based organisations and
• Community Partnerships
safety audits are budget communities request
and Safety
investigated. community safety audits.
• Place-based
organisations and
communities
2122
2. Priority: Gendered violence
Target offence: Domestic assault
Project: Awareness of gendered violence, including elder abuse, is increased throughout the community, and
the community are empowered to support victims.
Reporting of domestic assault increases due to campaigns that raise awareness and promote
support services in Wollongong.
Education and support relating to elder abuse is promoted.
The ten Child Safe Standards recommended in the Royal Commission into Institutional Reponses to
Child Sexual Abuse Final Report 2017, are embedded into Council policy and practice.
Rationale: Wollongong LGA is ranked 77 out of 120 LGAs in NSW*
Hotspot areas show significantly higher rates than the NSW state average and double the rate of
incidents when comparing with the overall Wollongong LGA*.
Lake Illawarra and Wollongong Police Districts highlight domestic violence as a significant priority
crime with Lake Illawarra Police District ranked in the top ten Police Districts for this crime in NSW**.
Domestic violence across NSW has increased by over 4% per year over the past two years. Breaches
of apprehended violence orders continue to increase in NSW over a ten year period. In Wollongong,
breach of apprehended violence orders (domestic violence related) has increased 2% per year over
ten years, with a rate mostly above the NSW average*.
There is an awareness elder abuse is rising with challenges surrounding how this is reported and a
need to provide support and education to victims and service providers.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Reponses to Child Sexual Abuse Final Report was released
in 2017. The report included a range of recommendations to make organisations child safe. From
these recommendations there have been legislative changes in the way organisations prevent
and respond to risk to children, including introduction of ten Child Safety Standards that aim to
make institutions safe for children. These standards apply to all government, non-government and
community based organisations across NSW.
Objective: Increase reporting of domestic violence assault in the Wollongong LGA.
Provide support for local networks and services in raising awareness about domestic and family
violence in Wollongong.
Local networks and the community are more aware about the incidence and support available for
elder abuse.
The ten Child Safety Standards are embedded into Council’s work practices, creating an environment
where risk of harm to children can be better prevented, identified, reported and responded to.
Lead Agency/partners: Illawarra Committee Against Domestic Violence (ICADV). NSW Police, community organisations, local
businesses, NSW Office of the Children Guardian.
Expected outcome: Reporting of domestic violence will increase.
Attendance figures for ICADV events will continue to rise.
The community and service providers are educated on elder abuse and how to receive support.
Council’s policies and practices meet the ten Child Safe Standards.
* Crime Profile Appendix 1 NSW BOCSAR (2020)
** Lake Illawarra Police District (2020)Action Performance Measures Timeframes Funding Partners Milestones
2.1 Work in partnership • Regular attendance at Ongoing Existing • ICADV members • The production and distribution
with lead agencies that meetings held by the ICADV. operational of an Illawarra Domestic Violence
provide support for budget Services resource showcasing all
victims of family and services available for families in
domestic violence to the region.
share information and
raise awareness about • ICADV organised forums and
the issue training are scheduled annually.
2.2 Support ending • Participate in campaigns with Annually Existing • ICADV Committee • Both campaigns are included in
Domestic Violence the ICADV each year. operational Council’s Operational Plan.
and Reclaim the Night budget • Reclaim the Night
campaigns • Reclaim the Night held annually. Committee
2.3 Raise awareness of • Council attends Prevention of Ongoing Existing • POPA members • Awareness-raising campaigns are
elder abuse Older Persons Abuse (POPA) operational conducted.
meetings. budget
2.4 Council acts as a • Council’s Enterprise Agreement Ongoing Existing • Council Executive • Council as an employer supports
lead organisation includes the provision for staff operational staff who are experiencing
that stands against to take domestic violence leave budget domestic violence to find safety
domestic violence to seek support as needed. from the violence.
• Council provides access to an • Staff can access the EAP at no
Employee Assistance Program cost.
(EAP) for staff.
2.5 The ten Child Safe • Council completes child safe Ongoing Existing • NSW Office of the • Child Safety Standards are
Standards are audit. operational Children Guardian embedded into Council’s work
embedded into Council budget culture, policy and practices,
policies and practices • Child Safe Wollongong creating an environment where
Implementation Plan is risk of harm to children can be
endorsed. prevented, identified, reported and
• Council establishes ongoing responded to.
review of child safe practice • Review cycle implemented.
and implementation of
recommendations for child
safety.
2.6 Council leads the way • Council provides support Ongoing Existing • NSW Office of the • Community organisations
in creating a child to other organisations to operational Children Guardian understand the requirements of
safe organisation and implement the ten Child Safety budget the ten Child Safe Standards.
community Standards. • Key community service
organisations • Community organisations are
implementing the ten Child Safe
23
Standards.24
3. Priority: Anti-social behaviour (ASB)
Target offence: Non-domestic assault (alcohol related) &
Intimidation, stalking and harassment
Project: Opportunities for alcohol related assault are reduced as a result of community education and
partnership strategies.
Anti-social behaviours including harassment and threatening behaviour is reduced through the
activation of Wollongong Crown Street Mall and other public spaces that are otherwise underused or
isolated from regular activity.
Rationale: Wollongong is ranked 63 out of 120 LGAs in NSW, for recorded incidents of non-domestic assault.
This ranking shows Wollongong has the highest incidents per capita of all LGAs in the Illawarra. In
2019, 34% of all non-domestic assaults were linked to alcohol*.
Non-domestic assault (alcohol related) and incidents of intimidation, stalking and harassment are
densely concentrated in our CBD and have a profound impact on how safe people feel. Both impact
local residents, visitors and businesses.
Wollongong is a regional city centre and entertainment precinct, therefore the risks associated with
alcohol and strategies to mitigate these need to be considered. The rate of alcohol non-domestic
assault is higher in our CBD with 44% of the 258 incidents linked with alcohol*.
The Perceptions of Safety Survey (2017) and Women’s Safety Survey (2018), highlighted anti-social
behaviour in the Wollongong Crown Street Mall as a concern where many women were experiencing
some form of harrassment. Only 32% of respondents in the Women’s Safety Survey had not
experienced some form of harassment**.
For incidents of intimidation, stalking and harassment, Wollongong LGA reported more than 800
incidents to police in 2019*. The rate is lower than the upward trend in NSW, however, this crime is
significantly under reported with recent evidence highlighting how the prevalence of harassment is so
common that young women perceive it to be normal***.
Multicultural harassment is also an emerging concern for Wollongong LGA****.
Objective: Reduce incidents of alcohol related non-domestic assault.
Reduce the incidents of ASB in the CBD and public places throughout Wollongong LGA.
Lead Agency/partners: NSW Police, Wollongong City Council, Wollongong Liquor Accord, Community Drug Action Team (CDAT).
Expected outcome: Wollongong shows a decreasing trend regarding incidents of alcohol related assaults in the CBD and
other hot spots.
People feel safer in the Crown Street Mall and other public places.
Incidents reported and actual ASB are reduced.
* Crime Profile Appendix 1: NSW BOCSAR (2020)
** Women’s Safety Survey - Wollongong City Council (2018)
*** Unsafe in the City (Everyday Experiences of Girls and Young Women) Research by Monash University (2018).
**** Wollongong District Police (2020)Action Performance Measures Timeframes Funding Partners Milestones
3.1 Assess Development • 100% of all new liquor Ongoing Existing • Development • The process for referring
Applications for licence applications are operational Assessment and new liquor licences
liquor licences referred to community budget Compliance against community safety
against Crime safety for comment. is a standard operating
Prevention Through process.
Environmental Design
Principles
3.2 Respond to requests • Alcohol Free Zones (AFZ) Ongoing Existing • Events and Visual Strategy • All AFZ and Alcohol
from NSW Police and and Alcohol Prohibited operational Prohibited Places are
• Infrastructure Systems
the community for Places are reviewed every budget mapped and available on
and Support
alcohol free public four years. Council’s website for the
places • NSW Police community’s information.
• All customer service
requests relating to alcohol • Property and Recreation • AFZ’s and Alcohol
free public places are Prohibited Places are
investigated. re-established where and
when appropriate.
3.3 Conduct community • All customer service As requested Existing • NSW Police • People acknowledge
safety audits focusing requests for safety audits operational Council has a role to
• Community
on consumption of are investigated. budget play in restricting the
alcohol in public • Community groups consumption of alcohol in
spaces public spaces.
3.4 Undertake • Talking Tactics Together Ongoing External • Community Drug Action • Community acknowledges
partnerships with is conducted in public funding Team (CDAT) its responsibility in
CDAT and youth schools. for CDAT reducing drinking habits of
• Wollongong Liquor
based services programs if young people.
• Community resources are Accord
to support and successful
produced.
promote community • NSW Police
development and • Community forums are
education programs conducted.
that target unlawful
consumption of
alcohol
25
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