Up to $250,000 PSIF funding is available for the development of public safety and security infrastructure to improve community safety, security and confidence in public places.
Public Safety Infrastructure Fund (PSIF)
The Public Safety Infrastructure Fund (PSIF) grants are available to support Victorian councils to undertake the development and improvement of public safety and security infrastructure. Funding is available only for the costs of procuring and installing infrastructure. Co-contribution requirements apply.
Objectives
The objectives of the Public Safety Infrastructure Fund (PSIF) grants are to:
- Support councils to improve local public safety and security infrastructure in local communities
- Increase community safety and confidence in public places
- Encourage local communities to apply innovative crime and community safety solutions to areas
- Build the knowledge base about best practice public safety infrastructure solutions, and capture and share lessons learned
- Promote the development and delivery of integrated crime prevention initiatives as part of a strategic approach to local community safety
- Promote widespread engagement in community crime prevention initiatives across Victoria.
Funding
The program will fund the development of new infrastructure, or the redevelopment of existing infrastructure to help improve community safety, security and confidence in public places. Grants between $20,000 and $250,000 are available to support initiatives that respond to identified crime prevention issues.
Eligible Projects
Projects must be completed by 30 November 2021.
Grant funds can be used for infrastructure costs only. For the purposes of this program, infrastructure refers to the costs of equipment, materials and the physical installation work involved with a project.
Examples of eligible crime prevention projects include, but are not limited to:
- streetscape and amenity improvements in public spaces designed to minimise the risk of crime and support safe behaviour. For example, removing entrapment points, enhancing natural surveillance and encouraging increased and mixed use of public spaces
- vandal-resistant lighting systems, or other physical security or safety measures, such as perimeter fencing, bollards, and security-grade door and window treatments for community facilities
- any physical element of a public place CCTV system including signage. To be eligible for funding, the proposed CCTV system must be focused on a public place. For the purposes of these grants, this is defined as ‘any place to which the public has access as of right or by invitation, whether express or implied, and where no charge is made for admission to the place’. A public place does not include a private place. Note, grant funds are provided for the physical infrastructure only and will not be given for system design, monitoring, ongoing licensing or maintenance
- any combination of the above.
In particular, the Department of Justice and Regulation encourages projects that:
- form part of an integrated mix of crime prevention activities
- actively engage the community, including hard-to-reach groups, in the design and delivery of the project
- include a commitment from council to support future activity within any new or upgraded space
- support a collaborative planning and implementation approach across different areas of council.
Applications require a minimum co-contribution to the project, excluding future ongoing or maintenance costs. The co-contribution towards delivery of the project may include, but is not limited to, the cost of:
- specific infrastructure associated with the project
- community consultation, evaluation, permit, design, legal and other administrative costs
- project management (commensurate to the size of the project and up to 7.5 per cent of the total project cost). If project management costs are higher, this should be justified within the application and will be considered when determining value for money.
The minimum project co-contribution must exclude funding from other State Government agencies. A maximum of 50 per cent of the co-contribution can be in-kind.
Applications should clearly specify how the Department of Justice and Regulation grant funds will be used and differentiate this from other funding sources.
Applications which do not meet the co-contribution requirements may be deemed ineligible.
Eligible Applicants
Grant applications for the Public Safety Infrastructure Fund (PSIF) are only open to Victorian councils.
Community organisations wishing to propose applications for public safety security infrastructure should contact their local council to discuss their ideas. Local council contact details are available at knowyourcouncil.vic.gov.au/councils.
Timing
Applications close 2 August 2019.
More Information
- Source
- Public Safety Infrastructure Fund Guidelines
- Public Safety Infrastructure Fund FAQs