MAY 23, 2016: Today I had the pleasure of announcing more than $725,000 from Round Two of the Coalition’s Safer Streets Programme to fund closed-circuit television (CCTV) at Airlie Beach. The Safer Streets Programme supports communities at the grass roots to help address crime and anti-social behaviour, and boost crime prevention initiatives to keep our streets safe.  I was joined by the Minister for Justice Michael Keenan at Airlie Beach today to make the announcement. Under this funding commitment, the Whitsunday Regional Council will receive $725,669 for the installation of 84 high definition CCTV cameras at Airlie Beach’s Main Street and the Airlie Beach lagoon, and appropriate infrastructure to link the CCTV transmissions to the Whitsunday Police Station.The area is a drawcard for visitors from all over the world and it is important to improve security for both residents and tourists. We can make these sites safer by installing CCTV cameras in Airlie’s Main Street and at the Lagoon, and this should work to deter any illegal activity.If something does happen, we are enabling our police officers to find who is responsible and deal with it via the footage which will go through to the Whitsunday Police Station. Mr Keenan said the funding is drawn from the Proceeds of Crime Account – that is money taken from criminals and reinvested into prevention of further crime.“Only safe communities can be strong and prosperous, and the best way to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour is to prevent it from happening,” Mr Keenan said.“The Coalition will continue to reinvest money confiscated from criminals and put them towards projects that make our streets and communities safer."