Neighbourhood Watch The Gap 4061

4061: Did you know 2022 vs 2021 we together enacted a 7% reduction in offences across our wonderful suburb??!!!

Total 2022- 282 offences, down from 302 in 2021.

What’s even better, this is the lowest number of total offences for our suburb since the data goes back to 2018!

Massive effort Neigbhours!

Check out “LOVE THE GAP” http://nhwq4061.com/ love-the-gap/

The unofficial tourism bureau of 4061!

Lot’s of great info on places to enjoy, eat, play surrounded by a wonderful safe community created by NHW The Gap!

Check out the merchandise too and get your hands on it which supports our NHW The Gap fundraising -> which is reinvested into local campaigns.

Good HOME SECURITY can be achieved by following these key principles:

1. Make it easy for an offender to be seen

2. Make it difficult for an offender to gain entry

3. Make it difficult for an offender to exit with your property

4. Make it difficult for an offender to gain benefit from your property.

• Harder for thieves to get in (LOCK everything even when you are at home)

• Harder to get out (if they do get in, make sure it’s difficult for them to have an easier way out by making sure windows are locked/ doors deadbolted

• Harder to get rid of your property (photograph valuables, engrave with your personal ID number - your initials/your full birthdate/ Q for Queensland, use UV pen, mirodots)

• Install reliable security screen doors on main external entrances

• Remember to actually key lock your security doors and remove the key from the lock

• Fit deadlocks on all external doors

• When moving in to your home or apartment, install new locks on entrance doors

• Never leave notes that indicate your absence

• Always take your door key with you, do not hide it, and never put your name and address on your key ring

• Get to know your Neighbours

• Observe and report suspicious activity

• Keep foliage trimmed back around your property so others can view suspicious activity

• Consider installing an alarm system and security camera system that covers all external doors, windows and garage. Ensure the system is installed to Australian Standards for domestic applications.

• Always ensure car and house keys, mobile phones, handbags and wallets are stored out of sight.

• Lock away items of value such as bikes, lawn mowers and garden implements such as ladders. Always keep your garage or shed door closed and locked with a key

• Consider installing perimeter security lighting including sensor lights.

Dear neighbours,

Can you believe we are already a month into 2023? I’m back in Canberra this week for the first sittings of Parliament, to keep fighting for what matters to you.

Last month I offered some small cash grants to Ryan families to help with back-to-school costs. I offered them because I know families are doing it tough, but the response - which saw the grants fully subscribed in a matter of hours - highlighted the impact the cost-of-living crisis is having. It also highlights the ridiculous situation where public schools are forced to make parents pay for resources because they are underfunded. Schools in Ryan are underfunded by over $30 million each year. Imagine what a difference that money could make to our community!

On the topic of cost-of-living, the average mortgage payment in Ryan has increased by around $1300 a month, and more increases have been flagged. Rents have spiked by more than 13%. I know families that are having to choose between buying fuel or buying food. That’s not good enough, especially when corporations are getting billions in handouts.

I was horrified to see Labor cut the mental health provisions in Medicare just before Christmas. The Greens would fully fund Medicare, and include dental and mental health care, because your ability to pay for care should not determine your ability to access care. I’ve kicked off a petition to put pressure on the federal Health Minister to reinstate the extra 10 sessions a year that were cut. Look for it in the Community Newsletter.

The results of my Ryan Transport Survey (now on the website) have inspired me to hold a forum to explore the case for free, frequent public transport. Public transport is already subsidised between 70-80% in Australia by State governments. If the federal government stumped up the extra 20% or so, transport authorities could focus on moving people around, instead of collecting and policing fares. The forum will be held in April - I’ll share more details soon.

I can’t wait to get back out into our community to meet you and hear about the issues that matter to you. Here are a couple of upcoming opportunities to chat with me in person:

Ferny Grove Pop-up Office : 11am-1pm Monday 20 February - Ferny’s Cafe & Espresso Bar Flight Noise Meet-Up : 12-2pm Saturday 25 February - Cicada Park, Chapel Hill

Visit elizabethwatsonbrown.com/events

My team and I are committed to helping you in whatever way we can; whether it is navigating the bureaucracy, organising in the community or advocating on a policy issue, so please get in touch!

Until next month, Libby