Lib vow to clean up Mall and bus interchange

COMING on top of a pledge to task protective service officer in the Bridge Mall, the Coalition has doubled down on safety and security, promising further funds for an anti-graffiti strike team and better lighting.

The pledge was made last week at the Little Bridge Street bus interchange.

“We acknowledge that there’s a significant problem with anti-social behaviour down here in Little Bridge Street,” said Amy Johnson, Liberal Candidate for Wendouree.

“I’ve been contacted by so many members of the public who dislike coming to this area of the city because they feel unsafe.

The suite of crime prevention and anti-social behaviour measures also includes statewide promises to set up mobile CCTV vans, re-establishing the Police in Schools Program and $2 for Neighbourhood Watch.

Locally, Bridge Mall would get PSOs for eight hours a day, between 11am and 7pm, seven days a week.

All up, $235,000 has been allocated for newly announced safety improvements in the Bridge Mall area, with $50,000 going towards the graffiti removal team, lighting upgrades worth $100,000 and money for work to make the bus shelters, “Tamper proof.”

“This is about improving the amenity of this area,” shadow minister for community safety Edward O’Donohue said.

“[It’s] an area that’s seen a lot of drug use, a lot of petty crime, some serious crime. We’re going to make it safe again.”

There was some graffiti in the area where the announcement was made. Clear panels in the bus shelters have been scratched and tags left on street furniture.

Tracey Hargraves, who runs a yoga studio in the area said here were many aspects to the anti-social behaviour.

“The main concern is the behaviour that happens right on our shop frontage,” she said.

“There’s often drinking, there’s obvious graffiti that you can see… there’s some intimidation, there’s begging, there’s kind of fighting. Yeah, awful stuff.”

Ms Johnson said that graffiti had been left near Ms Hargraves’ business for over a month.

“The funding that we’re providing will ensure that this graffiti can be removed straight away, rather than sitting there and creating a visual eyesore,” she said.

A spokesperson for the Liberal Party said crime in Ballarat was up 11.9 per cent and crimes against the person had increased by 16.5 per cent.