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New Year’S Eve Community DebriefA New Year’s Eve Community Debrief has been scheduled for 7pm, Thursday 19 January at the Cowes Cultural Centre, Meeting Room 1. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 12th January 2006 - Back to News Bass Coast Shire Council’s Acting CEO, Richard Perry, urged the community to attend the meeting, stating that community feedback and involvement was vital.
"It’s important that we find out what the community considered did and didn’t work in terms of our New Year’s Eve planning, particularly the traffic situation on Friday 30 December, and how we can improve on that for next year.
All agencies involved in the New Year’s Eve planning, including the Police, Council, Rural Ambulance Victoria, CFA, VicRoads, Pyramid Rock concert organisers and representatives from the transport industry, met last night to plan a community debrief.
Mr Perry confirmed that it was standard procedure for agencies involved in the planning to meet in the first week of the year to collate statistical and some anecdotal evidence regarding the impact of the holiday period in terms of community safety. As well as to organise times for a full debrief involving Councillors and the community.
"All agencies reported a largely successful New Year’s Eve.
"Arrests, litter and alcohol related incidents were all at significantly lower levels compared to previous years.
"However, the severe disruptions caused to the local community and businesses by traffic chaos on the Friday were of great concern.
"In light of this, all agencies agreed it was imperative that the full debrief involving the community be organised immediately."
The community debrief will involve a presentation from each agency involved in the New Year’s Eve planning as well as time for community members to offer feedback, suggested solutions and to ask questions of agency representatives.
Members of the community who are unable to attend can forward their comments in writing to Chief Executive Officer, Bass Coast Shire Council, PO Box 118, Wonthaggi 3995 by 28 February 2006.
Mr Perry said it was important to move beyond anecdotal reports and properly document the impact on the community.
"Community feedback on the New Year period is an essential component of formulating the plans that will be put in place for 2006.
"No final reports on the New Year period will be written until the community have their input," Mr Perry assured.
Police assurance
Police Inspector, Chris Notman, assured the community that a number of strategies would be considered to ensure a repeat of the traffic issues over the New Year period would not be repeated.
"All agencies involved in the New Year planning regret the inconvenience caused to motorists over the New Year period and sincerely apologise to those affected.
"The traffic issues on these days far exceeded what was identified in the planning stage. There were a number of factors which influenced the huge amount of traffic, including the processing of cars at Pyramid Rock Festival.
"I strongly encourage interested community members to attend the 19 January meeting to ensure all potential solutions are considered," said Inspector Notman.
Zero tolerance
Police and Council Local Laws Officers implemented a Zero Tolerance policy across the Shire during New Year’s Eve.
"A lot of effort went into educating residents and visitors that alcohol consumed in public places is not on," said Council’s Community Safety Manager, Peter Laydon.
Police and Local Laws behaviour infringements (primarily alcohol related): 70
Police arrests: 9
Local Laws Camping infringements: 15
Local Laws Parking infringements: 18
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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