Palmerston Regional Safe Communities history
In March 2008, the City of Palmerston became the first community in the Northern Territory to be named as an International Safe Community by the World Health Organisation (WHO), for its safety and injury prevention work with the community.
Signing of the Safe Communities Designation agreement - 2008
Palmerston Mayor Robert Macleod
NT Minister Marion Scrymgour [right]
and Dr Carolyn Coggan from Safe Communities Foundation, New Zealand
Palmerston Region Safe Communities was the result of people from all sectors across Palmerston working together to prevent injury and build a safer community.
There are currently ten designated Safe Communities in Australia with a further 14 preparing for designation.
The concept is a community-based approach to injury prevention and safety promotion with the number of safe communities growing to more than 130 since it originated in Sweden more than 20 years ago.
The Safe Communities Foundation New Zealand oversees the outcomes of Australian Safe Communities, on behalf of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre on Community Safety Promotion.
Palmerston Mayor, Robert Macleod said that gaining Safe Communities status was the culmination of the City's significant results in health promotion, accident prevention and tackling alcohol-related issues in the community.
Many people have helped Palmerston achieve the Safe Communities designation through the following safety areas:
- Child Safety
- Personal and Social Safety
- Alcohol Management
- Palmlesstonnes
- Safe Schools
- Monitoring and Evaluation
The Safe Communities work groups have brought together a range of organisations including health, justice, police, education, NT Water Safety, KidsSafe, Road Safety, the City of Palmerston, YMCA, YWCA, Mission Australia, Good Beginnings and Palmerston residents.
The first safety campaign emanating from Palmerston Regional Safe Communities was a child safety campaign, titled 'Look at Me - Look at Me'.
The campaign was developed by the Child Safety Work Group and lead partner, the Northern Territory Department of Health and Families.
'Look at Me - Look at Me' highlights the dangers that unfortunately result in common injuries to NT children - from kitchen safety to correctly wearing a child safety harness in cars, to water safety and keeping medications away from children.
Other projects undertaken by Palmerston Regional Safe Communities include an Alcohol Management Plan to tackle alcohol abuse and anti-social behaviour.
Safe Communities is funded by the Department of Health and Families and administered by the City of Palmerston through a part-time position of Safe Communities Project Coordinator.
Safe Communities acknowledges the support of the following businesses:
- Bunnings
- CMAX Cinema
- ConocoPhillips
- Delfin
- MBF
