Community services have united to assure the people of Maryborough of their safety following a spate of recent incidents in the town.
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At the On The Upside forum on Wednesday night residents voiced their concerns about issues which they felt were important to Maryborough.
Maryborough Ratepayers and Residents Association member Wayne McKail said the town’s concern about safety had increased after two major incidents.
“There’s a lot of concern and possibly a little bit of an over-reaction,” Mr McKail said.
“But I can understand with the drug and violence problems throughout the town, it explains the escalation.”
Mr McKail said it would have been more appropriate for the shire to address the recent incidents earlier rather than wait until September.
“Initially the shire’s administrators stated that they were asked by the police and Department of Justice to address the situation,” he said.
“With that happening it clearly tells me the justice system and the police have got their ears on the ground and understand what’s happening.
“All credit to the council for organising the forum and addressing the situation.”
Mr McKail said there would have been less speculation throughout the town if it was publicly discussed earlier.
“But back when the incidents occurred… the council stipulated they spoke to all parties involved, but no mention of speaking to the community.”
“We at the Residents and Ratepayers Association would like to see the community come together to support each other through this difficult time.”
The forum involved local agencies discussing key programs and initiatives available throughout the Central Goldfields Shire and addressed recent incidents within the community.
Acting Senior Sergeant Brad Hall spoke about two recent homicides in Maryborough and their impact on the town.
“I acknowledge the fact that it has reverberated through the community and provided a certain feeling of unrest,” the Acting Senior Sergeant said.
“Everyone should consider, while they were tragic, tragic events which have ruined numerous lives, they should be looked at in isolation.
“It’s not the start of a spiraling crime spree and it’s not that the streets of Maryborough are unsafe.
“You can still walk down the street and go about your business and know that my staff are doing everything they can to make sure it’s safe for you to do so.”
He also discussed the prevalence of the use of methamphetamine, highlighting that numerous towns throughout Victoria had the same problem and that it was not unique to Maryborough.
Acting Senior Sergeant Hall spoke about a recent three-day police operation in August which involved multiple police units from throughout central Victoria.
During the operation arrests were made, a motor vehicle was seized under the anti-hoon legislation, cannabis and methamphetamine were confiscated with around $12,000 that is allegedly the proceeds of crime.
“A lot of people consider that those days of action were a direct result of the two homicides, well I’m here tonight to tell you they were completely and utterly unrelated,” he said.
Crimes such as theft from motor vehicles and firearms stolen during burglaries were issues which the police need community assistance with.
Acting Senior Sergeant Hall spoke about the importance of the Goldfields Police Service Area Eyewatch Facebook page.
“It’s a great way for the community to connect with us and for us to connect with you,” he said.
“At the end of the day, we’re only as good as the community we serve, so we need your help so that we can help you.”
Tom Wills from the Department of Justice spoke at the forum, comparing Maryborough to other communities.
“There is nothing in Maryborough, from a justice perspective, that stands out among the many other communities in the Loddon Mallee region,” Mr Wills said.
Mr Wills said over the last five years the rate of adult corrections orders had reduced.
“This is in a climate where we have increased policing, increased harshness in sentencing and stronger community expectations that we are going to be tough on crime.,” Mr Wills said.
Mr Wills said there had also been a “steady” decline in the number of young people that had been through the youth justice system.
Other topics discussed at the forum included the state of education and healthcare within Maryborough.
Maryborough Education Centre principal David Sutton said recent changes he had noticed was the willingness of young people embracing diversity.
“The programs we teach at school around respectful relationships...we are very explicit in the way we teach people to respect one another,” Mr Sutton said.
“Irrespective of culture, race, sexuality and gender.
“I’m very proud of how we have done this at MEC.”
Maryborough District Health Service director of clinical services Nickola Allan discussed the importance of community partnerships.
“Strong partnerships can achieve great things,” Mrs Allan said.
“An initiative with our local Rotary has enabled us as an organisation to form a family governance sub-committee.
“We have worked hard and now have Centre for Non-Violence staff in-built into our organisation between Monday to Friday.”
“It means victims of family violence no longer have to travel or hide from the perpetrator and are now able to access services locally.”
Central Goldfields Shire chief administrator Noel Harvey said since his team had taken office they encouraged participation throughout the community.
‘It is often that well-meaning governments respond to challenges and issues in rural towns by sending someone in from the outside to try and fix it,” Mr Harvey said.
“We as administrators are absolutely convinced local problems need local solutions.”
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