Northern Beaches Council has endorsed its Community Safety Plan, a five-year roadmap aimed at maintaining and increasing community safety for all Northern Beaches residents.

Mayor Michael Regan said extensive consultation had been undertaken with the community and stakeholder groups about safety issues over the past 18 months in developing the plan.

"Even though the Northern Beaches is a very safe place to live, the actual and perceived safety of our residents, businesses and visitors continues to be a priority for us,” Mayor Regan said.

“Through the Community Safety Plan, and the development of the broader Better Together 2040 Social Sustainability Strategy, we are addressing the fundamentals of what makes us safe in public, at home and online.”

The Community Safety Plan outlines the work Council is currently undertaking in community safety and Council’s opportunities to do more. The plan sets a framework for our work with partner agencies to ensure that the community has access to people, organisations and information that can help when they need assistance.

“Improving community safety requires all sections of the community to work together and build partnerships to create a safer environment for people to work, live and play in,” Mayor Regan said.

“We take a joint approach to community safety and crime prevention, working together with a range of people and groups including the NSW Police, State Transit, NSW Health as well as local community service providers."

Following feedback from community consultation earlier this year, the Plan will include specific reference to youth such as developing a Youth Discussion Paper and delivering youth development programs that build resilience in a diverse cross section of young people and local youth services. 

Other key amendments to the Plan following community consultation include strengthening reference to Council's work to protect the community through bushfire management.

The plan will be reviewed annually to accommodate any emerging issues and will be evaluated every 5 years.