Federal Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack, announced in December that $13,600.00 in funding had been authorised under Safer Streets Round Two, for use by Forbes Shire Council.

FSC will deliver two solar powered closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras for the town, due to be installed in June 2017.

At the announcement in Forbes, Mr McCormack spoke of the importance of installing security vision.

“The Federal Government Safer Streets Safer Community funding is going to provide two solar powered CCTV cameras in this important Dreamtime park, which is so much a part of the Wiradjuri culture and Forbes community,” he said.

Mr McCormack was joined by Forbes Mayor Graeme Miller, Chief Inspector Nick Weyland, Senior Constable Daniel Greef, Forbes and District Historical Society’s Bruce Adams, and Aileen Allen from the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre.

Aboriginal Elder, Aileen Allen, is thankful the sacred site will soon be monitored round-the-clock. 

“We need it so badly because we get a lot of things stolen here. We’ve gone through seven flags and we’d just like to keep it safe for people that do come down here. People just seem to come down and destroy everything,” she said.

Cr Miller welcomed the announcement and said that while Forbes was a safe place to live, the project will assist in protecting the Wiradjuri Dreaming site and contribute to greater community safety and resilience.

“It’s important because the Wiradjuri people have done a great job down here. It’s just a shame that people want to pinch their flag and do damage to the centre here.”

Cr Miller said the CCTV cameras will be able to help the Police to identify the people who are doing it and hopefully make it a safer place.

“CCTV can assist in enhancing perceptions of safety, deterring criminal and anti-social behaviour and assist in helping to apprehend those responsible for crime in the community,” Cr Miller said.