Published in the Moreland Leader on 14 July 2014
MORELAND Council has more than doubled its street lighting cash splash to improve safety on Sydney Rd.
The council allocated $450,000 to the project at last Wednesday’s meeting, which will include $90,000 for a street lighting audit and $355,000 for works.
Moreland Mayor Lambros Tapinos said the tragic death of Jill Meagher in 2012 and other recent assaults sparked a wave of residents’ submissions calling for public lighting in Brunswick, including a petition of 530 signatures tabled last week.
“This is a very serious issue and this should be a priority,” Cr Tapinos said.
Moreland deputy mayor Meghan Hopper said the lighting upgrade would include changing yellow light bulbs in existing streetlights to LED bulbs.
“Yellow light bulbs aren’t bright enough and aren’t making people feel safe,” Cr Hopper said.
Other safety measures adopted in the 2014-2015 budget include $125,000 to address family violence and $375,000 for CCTV installation, $250,000 of which came from the State Government.
The state also contributed $105,600 for four illuminated taxi ranks installed on Sydney Rd in March.
Moreland Police inspector Dean McGowan said the measures were important “pieces of the pie” in improving community safety.
“CCTV holds people accountable for their actions,” Inspector McGowan said.
“People should be safe no matter where they go or what time they go there.”
Jemimah Clegg 