Local Issues

CCTV for Chapel St

Chapel St is part of Higgins’ rich and vibrant strip shop culture and is well known for its fantastic shops, eateries and nightlife. But unfortunately there is a growing concern about crime and antisocial behaviour in the area after dark.

Local police say Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras act as a deterrent and do assist in identifying and apprehending offenders.

That’s why I have been campaigning for Federal Government funding for more fixed CCTV cameras in Chapel St.

After consulting with local residents, businesses and law enforcers, I wrote to Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor in February 2010 to request funding under the Government’s Safer Suburbs program. Almost two months later, the Minister refused the request.

I will continue to fight for additional CCTV cameras to ensure Chapel St remains an attractive and safe destination for residents and visitors.

See my speech in Parliament here.

Clearways

Small businesses in Higgins have taken a hit as a result of the State Government’s unilateral decision to extend clearway times in our critical strip-shopping precincts. The City of Stonnington’s economic modelling revealed that extended clearway times would, conservatively, impact daily earnings for retailers by 5.5 per cent and annually by 4.5 per cent, at a cost of around $6 million annually.

Around 30,000 people signed a petition to urge the State Government to reverse this decision. They do not want to see small businesses go to the wall. They do not want to see local enmployment evaporate. They want to be able to shop locally and conveniently.

See my speech in Parliament here.

Planning

Many people contact me with concerns about various aspects of planning policy and development within Higgins. It is important that development is carried out with sensitivity to residents, the local area and any significant landmarks.  It is also important that development is in keeping with the local area and doesn’t diminish the amenity of the area for local residents.

The recent decision by the State Government to ignore local residents by providing an automatic green light to certain developments, as well as the increased frequency by the State Government in calling in development projects for direct approval, is of great concern. 

See my speech in Parliament here.

If you have any concerns about planning in the Higgins electorate, please contact me here