Jeff Carl welcomed the committee and members of the public. The guest speakers were Officer in Charge Southern District Alan Castles and Don Bailey (officer in charge Woden Station) from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and ACT Fire Commissioner Ian Bennett and Peter Newham from the ACT Fire Brigade. Mr. Carl indicated that each service would give a short overview and a Q&A would follow.

Peter Newham introduced the new ACT Fire Commissioner Ian Bennett. Ian indicated that the deliberately lit fires in Weston Creek were a concern to the Fire Brigade however the response time of the Brigade was within the standard of 90% of incidents attended within 8 minutes. He indicated that the AFP could add more to the issue as both services were working closely on the incidents. Ian also advised that the high rate of activity in Weston Creek brought the Fire Brigade, the AFP and the WCCC together for meetings at the Woden Police Station in January.

The role of the Fire Brigade was changing according to Ian. This was from a response approach to a proactive fire prevention and education role. The Fire Brigade is starting to market its activities and extend its messages. Examples include fire education classes to schoolchildren and, with the AFP, a Community Liaison and Assistance Program. Other proactive activities undertaken include a fire safety audit of homes as well as assisting residents to develop evacuation plans. The previous initiative of assistance with fire alarm installation was very successful and calls are now being received to assist in battery replacement.

The Brigade is looking at the possibility of working with the NRMA and focusing on issues dealing with youth. This is the beginning of a strategy to target specific sectors with specific messages, e.g. aged, youth etc.

The Fire Brigade will begin information days at Cooleman Court probably in March/April. Brochures and handouts will be provided to help with community information and education.

The stations servicing Weston Creek are both Phillip and Tuggeranong. Officers from both have met to discuss the commonality of some of the incidents in Weston Creek and this is the basis of the flyer available at this meeting. It is designed to inform residents on steps to take to minimise hazards in and around the home.

In conclusion Ian advised that the ACT Fire Brigade is a community Brigade and although working proactively is the emergency service for all residents.

• Brush Fencing fires - Has the fire Brigade discussed with PALM (Planning and Land Management) the possibility of changing some urban design and siting codes to reduce the use of brush fencing on external and exposed boundaries of leases? No approach but a good idea.
• What is the Fire Brigade doing to -reduce the number of aerosol cans being exploded in underpasses in Weston Creek especially on Friday and Saturday nights? Not able to take action.
• What is being done to reduce the number of incidents of cars being burnt in the forests surrounding Weston Creek, as the gates are now locked and the picnic areas not maintained?

Alan Castles and Don Bailey overviewed the issues in Weston Creek. Alan Castles provided the meeting with information on the restructure of the AFP in the ACT. The Woden and Tuggeranong Stations were now together under the same Southern District, which covered the area south of Lake Burley Griffin. The new district will be primarily administered from the Tuggeranong Station, with Woden being retained as a fully staffed station.

As regards the brush fencing fires in Weston Creek, Don Bailey advised that the skills mix of the AFP and the Fire Brigade were being used to come up with innovative solutions and the untapped intelligence gathering of both services was being utilised. The similarity in the method of operation in the incidents was a key to the solution. The AFP are continuing investigations on the incidents.

As regards services to Weston Creek under the new structure, there would be no reduction in response times to Weston Creek, with the majority of calls being responded to by Woden based cars with back up from Tuggeranong cars.

Unfortunately burglaries in Weston Creek were increasing with 68 this month. The new operation in place by the AFP was 'Operation Anchorage' which has as its aim to reduce the overall rate of burglaries. However the AFP was aware of the need to significantly increase the deterrence of burglaries, and for residents to be more home safety aware - more than half of the burglaries in Weston Creek this month were 'walk-in' i.e. doors were open. This is probably because of the warm weather and with people leaving doors open. Security fly screens are needed if this practice is to be done safely.

The Woden Bus Interchange is a constant concern with both Weston Creek and Woden residents. The proximity of the Woden Police Station does allow rapid response and there will be an increase in foot patrols in the bus interchange. The AFP is also making representations to improve the design and lighting of the interchange to deter loitering. There has been found a direct correlation between the look and maintenance of facilities and the rate of criminal offences in an area.

The AFP along with the WCCC is assisting in extending the reach of Duffy Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) volunteers into Holder and Weston. At a recent meeting held in Weston a number of residents volunteered to help with revitalising NHW in these two suburbs.

The handbag snatches in Weston Creek are an on-going concern, however two offenders have been recently apprehended. There is a perception that the elderly and women are more prone to criminal activity, however statistically, a male aged 18 to 25 years is more likely to be unsafe in the community compared with any other age group.

In respect of car incidents the screeching of brakes and cars 'dragging' each other in suburban streets is difficult to deal with, except for repeat events where time, location and car registration number are known. Information passed back to the AFP can help minimise incidents. The AFP is reforming the 'Traffic Operations Group' which will collect intelligence on motor vehicle incidents. The cumulative effect will be to gather intelligence on apparent unrelated incidents to look for similarities. Calls will be able to be made to CRIMESTOPPERS to report traffic as well as criminal incidents.

The collocation of the AFP with other emergency services in the new facilities on Melrose Drive will increase the efficiency of the services. The site was selected after many alternates were proposed. The movement away from the bus interchange may have an impact on the activity levels at that site but foot patrols will be continued.

• What is the effect of displacement of crimes from Weston Creek? - There may be relocation to other districts.
• Are security cameras to be installed at Woden Bus Interchange? - no.
• What happened in regard of the incidents in Melrose Drive with car doors being grabbed and opened? - these incidents have ceased.
• Can speed cameras be used in the western end of Hindmarsh Drive passed Streeton Drive? - not yet as it need to be designated use area.
• What is the progress with the WCCC request to have the Weston Skate Park declared an Alcohol-Free-Zone? - will be followed up.
• NHW extending to Weston and Holder was mentioned - what is the status with NHW south of Hindmarsh Drive? - inactive and needing volunteers.

Bob Sutherland, Deputy Chair WCCC, advised the meeting of the success of the 'taking it to the streets' initiative which the Council was undertaking. Members of the Executive were visiting local shopping centre between 10am and 12 noon on Saturday mornings. This was to enable people to talk with the WCCC, especially those who could not attend our regular evening meeting.

The meeting was also informed that the WCCC was examining the draft ACT 2001-2002 Budget and would make detailed submissions on each of the draft Budget papers.

Mr. Carl thanked the guest speakers and the public for their attendance and advised that the next meeting would cover ACTCODE 2 (the new development rules for the ACT), the Significant Trees register and revisit the forestry logging operation in Weston Creek.

Next Meeting will be 28th March 2001

Meeting closed at 9.50pm