Council's Role & Responsibilities

The Safe Homes and Neighbourhoods priority area works towards building cohesive communities, and the actions individuals, Council, and agencies can take to reduce the opportunities for crime to occur in our homes and neighbourhoods.

Council supports this priority by:

• Advocating for additional resources through funding opportunities
• Planning and developing infrastructure, development approvals, and amenity upgrades in line with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles
• Updating the Graffiti Management Plan

Everyone can play an active role in keeping our homes and neighbourhoods safe by doing the following:

Protect your home:

A large number of break and enter crimes are easily preventable. By introducing a number of simple and inexpensive changes to your home, you can play an active role in reducing the chances of this happening in your home:

1. Door locks
2. Window locks
3. Security lighting
4. Home alarm systems

For more information, visit the NSW Police Force’s ‘Home Safety’ page:  https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_prevention/crime_prevention/home_safety

Report graffiti:

Anyone can report acts of graffiti vandalism against public assets, community facilities, or private property. Three formal reporting options are available:

1. The NSW Graffiti Hotline (free call 1800 707 125) operates from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays.
2. Graffiti can also be reported online through the NSW Police Force Community Portal http://portal.police.nsw.gov.au
3. Wagga Wagga City Council’s reporting number for graffiti incidences on Council property is 1300 292 442 or online at www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/onlineservices

Prevent car theft:

Always keep your doors and windows locked if your car is unattended, no matter how short the period of time, or if it is parked in your driveway. Avoid leaving valuables in your vehicle, especially in plain view, and park in a well-lit or populated area.

Call for help:

Look out for others in our community by being a friendly neighbour. If you hear, see, or notice an incident of property damage or someone in danger, call the emergency services straight away: 000.

If your vehicle or home has been damaged or stolen, report this incident to Police by calling 000 in an emergency, or contacting the Wagga Police Station on (02) 6922 2599, or lodging the incident online: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/

Council recognises that a whole of community approach is the only way to work toward safer and respectful relationships. Part of this is recognising the impact of domestic and family violence, and coercive control, and the importance of increased recognition and education around this important issue.

Council supports this priority by:

• Actively participating and leading projects within the Wagga Domestic Violence Liaison Committee. For example; the recent ‘No More Silence’ Domestic and Family Violence awareness campaign with local leaders from a diverse range of backgrounds and professions. Learn more about these resources via our No More Silence webpage

• Partnering annually with the Wagga Wagga Women’s Health Centre and the Wagga Domestic Violence Liaison Committee to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Learn more via the Wagga Women - 16 Days of Activism webpage

• Delivering educational opportunities for support workers and general community members. To learn more about upcoming community training and workshops opportunities visit our Community Sector Training webpage

• Delivering two Family Community Safety Day events per year, in partnership with the local Wagga Police and first responders.

Everyone in our community deserves to be safe and live well.

If you or someone you know needs help with toxic relationships, you can use our No More Silence webpage as a starting point to find help.

If you are in danger, call Triple Zero 000 immediately.

Priority three focuses on partnering with key service providers and implementing Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to enhance safety across the city.

Council’s responsibilities for this priority include:

• Providing support through auspicing and active participation in the Wagga Community Drug Action Team, to provide a range of public programs throughout the year with local support services and community members in collaboration with First Responders.

• Graffiti Management Plan: Anyone can report acts of graffiti vandalism against public assets, community facilities, or private property.
  • The NSW Graffiti Hotline (free call 1800 707 125) operates from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays.
  • Graffiti can also be reported online through the NSW Police Force Community Portal
  • Wagga Wagga City Council’s reporting number for graffiti incidences on Council property is 1300 292 442 or via our Online Services.
• Planning and advocating for funding to use functional and/or creative lighting treatments to enhance safety in public spaces.

• Conducting regular Licensed Premises Reference Group meetings with Local Wagga Police to ensure that CPTED principles are considered for proposed developments.

• Include CPTED in any updates of the Development Control Plans. This is supported by training Council Officers in CPTED.