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Latrobe Mayor slams government's community safety funding decision, demands urgent support despite region's higher crime and social harm rates

Latrobe Mayor Sharon Gibson has criticised the Victorian government for again excluding Latrobe from Community Connectors funding, despite higher crime, family violence and drug-related harm rates than funded metropolitan municipalities.

By news@gippsland - 19th August 2026 - Back to News

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Sharon Gibson, has expressed her deep frustration and disappointment that Latrobe City has again been overlooked for Community Connectors Program funding despite experiencing some of the highest rates of crime and social harm in Victoria. Cr Gibson said the fact that regional communities had yet again been excluded from this expanded community safety program was deeply concerning when the evidence could not be clearer that Latrobe City needs urgent funding support now.

Latrobe City recorded higher overall crime, violent crime and family violence rates than three municipalities receiving $7 million in targeted Victorian government harm-reduction funding

Latrobe funding questions

Cr Gibson said, "If the Community Connectors Program funding is genuinely being directed to where it is needed most, then the Victorian government must explain why Latrobe continues to miss out when communities with lower rates of offending and social harm receive additional support."

"According to the Victorian government's Crime Statistics Agency*Latrobe City recorded higher rates of all criminal incidents, violent crime and family violence than Brimbank, Greater Dandenong and Maribyrnong - the three municipalities the government has just selected for its new $7 million targeted harm-reduction response. "In fact, Latrobe's violent crime rate was more than double that of Brimbank and Maribyrnong, and our family violence rate was around two to three times higher than all three councils," she said.

Cr Gibson added, "In addition to the crime stats, over the past decade, our rate of drug-related ambulance attendances was 93 per cent higher than Brimbank, 43 per cent higher than Greater Dandenong and 30 per cent higher than Maribyrnong. "Given this is a state election year, should I be concerned that the latest Victorian government community safety funding has been allocated to Labor-held LGAs with lower crime rates than Latrobe?"

Calling for action

Cr Gibson said Latrobe City Council has consistently advocated for Community Connectors across Moe, Morwell and Traralgon, additional Protective Services Officers at major transport hubs and increased police resources.

More than 12 months ago, Council met with Minister for Police and Community Safety Anthony Carbines to discuss the need for targeted regional support. During that meeting, the Minister indicated he would visit Latrobe City, along with the Police Commissioner, to better understand local challenges. Neither visit has occurred.

"We welcomed that commitment, but unfortunately the visit never happened. The invitation remains open. It is difficult to understand how government decisions about community safety funding can be made without those decision-makers actually taking the time to visit communities and speak directly with local stakeholders to learn about the challenges and impacts firsthand," Cr Gibson said.

Safety action needed

In May 2026, Council endorsed a CBD Safety Outreach Program Plan and identified community safety as a key State Election advocacy priority. "We have presented the evidence and advocated strongly on behalf of our community. We are simply asking for fairness. The need exists. The evidence exists. The advocacy has been ongoing. What is missing is action from the Victorian government."

"We continue to hear from community members who are concerned about safety in and around our key transport hubs. Residents are telling us they do not feel safe, and they are calling for greater support and intervention. Latrobe residents deserve action and we need it now," Cr Gibson said.

Pictures from Latrobe City Council Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Baw Baw Shire Council keeps fortnightly red bins, weekly FOGO collections despite petition calling for weekly rubbish service
  Baw Baw Council will retain fortnightly red-bin and weekly FOGO collections despite a 6,139-signature petition seeking weekly rubbish services, citing $173,000 annual costs and reduced landfill waste.
• State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts Centre in Wonthaggi receives major flooring upgrade, enhancing accessibility, creativity and community connection
  Living Local Regional Fund support has upgraded Bass Coast’s historic State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts Centre, improving safety and accessibility while strengthening community programs, creativity, wellbeing, fitness and social connection.
• Baw Baw Shire expands environmental rebate to encourage reusable products, cut waste and boost community sustainability
  Baw Baw Shire Council has expanded its environmental rebate into three categories, helping residents buy reusable products, reduce landfill waste, improve recycling, and support more sustainable households through partial purchase rebates.
• Bass Coast businesses celebrated at 2026 Business Awards, recognising excellence and community contribution
  The 2026 Bass Coast Business Awards celebrated local business excellence, with Phillip Island Tenpin Bowling & Entertainment Centre named Business of the Year after winning four awards.
• Marlo named sole East Gippsland finalist in Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, celebrating community spirit
  Marlo was East Gippsland’s sole finalist in the Victorian Top Tiny Tourism Town Awards, recognised for its authentic visitor experiences and strong community-driven tourism campaign.
• Melina Bath accuses Labor of failing to curb illicit tobacco crime and escalating violence across regional Victoria
  The Nationals have criticised Labor over ongoing illicit tobacco crime, citing alleged abductions, violence, intimidation and suspected illegal stores, while questioning Victoria’s tobacco licensing scheme effectiveness.
• Gippsland Water offers face-to-face bill support through September pop-ups across Morwell, Sale, Traralgon and Drouin
  Gippsland Water will host September pop-ups across the region, offering customers face-to-face help with bills, payment plans, concessions and government assistance amid cost-of-living pressures, with events in Morwell, Sale, Traralgon and Drouin.
• South Gippsland residents invited to shape future heritage precincts across four townships through community consultation
  South Gippsland Shire Council is inviting residents across Loch, Fish Creek, Toora and Korumburra to help shape and protect their townships' unique heritage character.
• Coalition seeks crossbench support to scrap Labor’s forestry carbon credit method
  The Coalition is urging crossbench Senators to reject Labor’s Improved Native Forest Management carbon credit method, warning it overstates emissions savings, threatens forestry jobs and reduces timber supply.
• East Gippsland property owners receive 2026/27 rates notices as council sets average increase below state cap
  East Gippsland property owners have received 2026/27 rates notices, with Council’s average increase set at 2.5%. Payment options, objections and face-to-face support are available for residents
• Regional ambulance response times deteriorate across Eastern Victoria under Labor, Melina Bath demands answers from Carroll government
  Melina Bath has criticised deteriorating ambulance response times across eastern Victoria, saying every local government area is worse than 12 years ago and calling on Labor to restore timely emergency care.
• The Nationals criticise deteriorating Princes Highway as potholes raise safety concerns in Traralgon East
  The Nationals have criticised the deteriorating Princes Highway at Traralgon East, citing 85 potholes between Traralgon and Rosedale and road damage less than 18 months after duplication.
• Wellington Shire Council retains in-house library service following review confirming best value for community needs
  Wellington Shire Council has endorsed the outcome of its Wellington Libraries Service Review, confirming library services will continue to be delivered as is.
• Coastal erosion forces indefinite closure of Kilcunda Rail Trail section for safety from 26 August 2026
  Bass Coast Shire Council will close a Kilcunda Rail Trail section indefinitely from August 26 after severe erosion washed away two metres of dune, threatening trail safety.
• Cowes Freedom of Entry Parade marks 125 years of Australia's Commonwealth Naval Forces and naval service tradition parade on 7 August 2026
  Bass Coast Shire Council invites the community to Cowes' Freedom of Entry Parade on August 7, celebrating 125 years of Australia's naval heritage with HMAS Cape Woolamai personnel and the Royal Australian Navy Band.