Page 2319 - Week 07 - Thursday, 4 August 2016

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I can advise Mr Jeffrey that during the 2015-16 financial year ACT Policing conducted 70 proactive patrols in the Tharwa area. They detected four drug incidents, all of which were for cannabis use. They undertook 19 targeted traffic patrols, including random breath testing operations and policing of the school zone. Between 1 January 2014 and 31 July this year there were a total of 44 offences reported to police in Tharwa. Over a period of two years—indeed, 2½ years—there have been a total of 44 offences reported to police in the Tharwa area. During the same period police issued five traffic infringement notices and 16 traffic caution notices.

I can assure Mr Jeffrey that ACT Policing take concerns in the Tharwa area seriously. That is reflected in the significant number of proactive patrols they have undertaken. I am confident they will continue to pay close attention to these matters.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Jeffery.

MR JEFFERY: I ask why are there not more police patrols and more activity from the rangers in the parks in relation to this.

MR CORBELL: I can advise Mr Jeffery—and I thank him for his supplementary—that the ACT Policing rural patrol does work very closely with ACT and New South Wales parks and conservation officers to address concerns that affect the rural community in the Tharwa area, including matters such as illegal hunting, dumping, sheep and cattle docking and unauthorised access to nature reserves as well as private property. It is the case that our rangers are out in the Tharwa district each and every day.

In addition, I have outlined to Mr Jeffery, through you, Madam Speaker, that there are a very large number of proactive patrols by our police: just in the last financial year, 70 prime targeting or proactive patrols. That is in addition to requests for police attendance from the public. Only four drug incidents were detected during that time. In addition, there were nearly 20 patrols targeting traffic and random breath testing in the Tharwa area.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Lawder.

MS LAWDER: Minister, how does the number of proactive patrols and other activities in the Tharwa area compare to the number of proactive patrols and other activities in other suburbs and townships in the ACT?

MR CORBELL: I am advised that there are approximately 66 residents in the Tharwa village, so we have actually undertaken more proactive police patrols than there are residents of the Tharwa village over the past 12 months. I think that would compare very favourably with many other parts of the city.

MADAM SPEAKER: Ms Lawder, a supplementary question.

MS LAWDER: Minister, what further steps will you take to eliminate some of the hooning and antisocial behaviour, including restriction of access to the areas beneath the Tharwa bridge?


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