Small business to benefit from $40m in grants for CCTV, alarm and lighting systems
LOCAL businesses have welcomed an LNP election commitment to support small businesses with grants for security measures such as CCTV installation. It comes after GC&M News revealed that dozens of CCTV cameras across the hinterland were revealed to be out of commission due to the cost of ongoing security measures.
In response to growing petty crime and vandalism across the state, the LNP has announce a $40m crime prevention boost for small business and community facilities.
This will include:
• The Secure Communities Partnership Program will fund safety measures to deter crime on small businesses.
• Grants can fund CCTV, safety lighting or alarm systems to prevent crime and minimise compounding costs of crime.
• Two-year program with four $10 million grants rounds.
The $40m Secure Communities Partnership Program will fund safety measures to deter crime from shopping precincts and commercial zones, including CCTV, safety lighting and alarm systems. Glasshouse Chamber president, Tamara Hazelden, said:
“The chamber welcomes any initiatives that can help bring a sense of security and safety to both our small businesses and the community.”
“The cost of maintaining ongoing security is an expense that many small businesses can’t afford. “With the ongoing cost-of living challenges, this type of measure could provide peace of mind for business owners without adding to the financial pressures they are already facing.”
LNP Leader David Crisafulli said the Secure Communities Partnership Program would help drivedown the cost of crime for small and family businesses.
“The LNP’s Secure Communities Partnerships Program will help stop crime before it happens, reducing the cost of crime on small businesses and local government,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“The cost of crime is not only replacing what’s stolen, it’s also the thousands of dollars in repairs, the increased insurance price and the lost turnover while a business is closed.