MY PLAN FOR CARRUM DOWNS

Crime is a growing concern in our community and I am committed to enhancing safety both at home and in public by partnering with community on the establishment of a Neighbourhood Watch Program. 

Currently, Carrum Downs—and the broader Frankston City—lacks an active program, despite crime this year increasing by 17% in Carrum Downs when compared to 2023. Establishing this initiative will foster a safer, more connected community.  

I will work to create a tangible Community Safety Action Plan to ensure the program is resourced to help protect our children, young adults, seniors and small businesses, all of whom are affected by the increasing crime.

 Our youth are being increasingly overlooked and the lasting impact of the lockdowns has had a detrimental effect on their mental health.

Families are being forced to make financial cuts, often removing opportunities like sporting activities, which many can no longer afford. Additionally, many children and young people are withdrawing from these activities due to the overwhelming strain on their mental health.

Young people aged 14 and 15 are disengaging from school with new figures showing the students are missing 1 whole year out of their combined 6 years of High School.

What I propose to help support and foster our youth is the creation of an Action Plan that Council and our community can work towards.

This plan includes several key initiatives aimed at re-engaging young people. This plan could involve establishing a local youth group, like the one I was a part of growing up, providing free access to sporting activities such as basketball games, pickle ball, soccer or gym sessions, collaborating with local businesses and utilising existing council facilities within the Carrum Downs area. By offering these opportunities, we can create a safe and supportive environment that encourages young people to reconnect with their peers, build resilience, and improve their mental and physical well-being.

In June 2024, the Victorian Planning Minister announced the Draft Housing Targets, with Frankston City is expected to build 36,000 new homes by 2051. Early estimates suggest that Carrum Downs alone will need to accommodate 8,000 to 10,000 new units. What does this mean? It means that Carrum Downs will need to DOUBLE in size. However, there is currently no clear strategy for managing such rapid growth, let alone how our existing facilities will be able to keep up with the increased demand. Our streets are already congested with overflowing vehicles, and our parks and recreational spaces are in urgent need of major upgrades.

I will advocate for a plan that ensures the growth of Carrum Downs benefits the community rather than putting it at a disadvantage. This vision must prioritise sustainable development, upgraded infrastructure and community facilities that can support the population increase, while avoiding over development. We need action now to ensure our community doesn’t bear the brunt of poor planning and instead thrives as we expand.

 Currently, the reception at Carrum Downs Police Station closes at 5pm. I will advocate for the station to be open 24 hours a day to ensure that our community feels safe and supported at all times. 

In addition, I will push for regular nighttime patrols, particularly in high-activity areas, to ensure a strong police presence within our community. This will provide greater peace of mind and help deter crime, creating a safer environment for all residents. It feels that as crime rises locally, Police resources are being reduced, further contributing to the existing sense of insecurity in the community.

Frankston City Councils CCTV program has been highly successful in improving residents' sense of safety and assisting Victoria Police in responding to crime. In fact, it boasts one of the largest CCTV networks in Victoria. Yet, shockingly, there are zero council owed CCTV cameras currently installed in Carrum Downs.

I will be pushing for the Council’s Safer Communities team to work closely with Carrum Downs Police to identify priority sites for new cameras based on community needs. Proposed locations include Sandfield Reserve, Carrum Downs Recreational Reserve, Carrum Downs Regional Centre, Carrum Downs Plaza and key council-owned buildings such as the library and community centre. Expanding CCTV coverage to these areas will strengthen our ability to keep our community safe and deter crime as it will be live streamed 24/7 to Frankston Police Station. It feels that as crime rises locally, police resources are getting reduced, which adds to the that people are already feeling unsafe.

Finding the right balance for traffic flow around Rowellyn Primary School is essential to meet the needs of both local residents and parents of school-goers. The current congestion poses challenges for everyone in the area.

I will be advocating for a thorough investigation into the traffic engineering around all our local primary and secondary schools to develop a solution that alleviates congestion and benefits the entire community. This will ensure safer, more efficient traffic movement while maintaining the quality of life for nearby residents.

I will be advocating for the timely completion of Sandfield Reserve. While Stage 2 has been approved, we need strong leadership to ensure that this project is fully delivered, benefiting our community as promised.

Additionally, Gamble, Rotary and Banyan Reserves have been long overlooked, with outdated equipment and facilities in dire need of upgrades. These spaces deserve attention to meet the needs of local families and recreational users.

I fully support the redevelopment of Len Phelps Pavilion, home to the Carrum Downs Cricket Club and the Skye Football Netball Club. These clubs offer a diverse range of recreational activities throughout the year and their facilities should reflect their growth and importance to the community. 

Expanding and improving the Pavilion will help these clubs continue to thrive and support their members.

It’s important to recognise that the core responsibilities of any council— rates, rubbish and roads—must be executed effectively. These essential services are the foundation of community well-being, if these are not done properly it may struggle to support the municipality’s growth. 

Rates

What I am advocating for is a financially sustainable council, one that operates with a strong community focus, allowing residents and businesses some breathing room amid rising costs.

The cost of living pressures are real and growing, with many now falling into the category of the “working poor.” This is simply unacceptable.

Rubbish

I will also be advocating to maintain weekly rubbish collections, as many councils are transitioning to fortnightly pick-ups, which I believe is inadequate for a growing community like ours.

Roads

Another top concern is the condition of our roads, with potholes being the most frequently discussed issue regarding council responsibilities. While some roads are managed by the State Government and beyond council control, I will ensure that all roads under council jurisdiction are maintained to the highest standard.

Bringing our community together is more important than ever. In recent years, Frankston City Council has significantly increased the number of events for residents to enjoy, yet none of these have been held in Carrum Downs. Our area has wonderful open spaces that are perfect for hosting community events, providing opportunities for everyone to come together and benefit from shared experiences.

I will be advocating for the use of local reserves to host these events, ensuring that Carrum Downs is included in the council's event planning and that our community has access to the same vibrant opportunities as other areas.

Supporting our seniors is vital, as they are the foundation of the community we enjoy today. Despite their significant contributions, Carrum Downs currently lacks Seniors Exercise Parks. I will advocate for the installation of this essential equipment to meet the needs of our growing senior population. This initiative will promote healthy aging, foster social interaction, and ensure our seniors remain active and engaged in the community they helped to build.