Safer Communities

Wingecarribee Shire Council is committed to providing a safe community for its residents and visitors.

Council engages in a number of activities and initiatives.

Emergency Information

For providing GPS co-ordinates in an emergency we strongly urge smartphone owners to install and use Emergency+. 

Emergency Contact Numbers 

Bushfire Emergency Information

If you see smoke and there's no fire truck or firefighters, call Triple Zero.

Bushfire Neighbourhood Safer Place

A Neighbourhood Safer place is designed to be a place of last resort in bush fire emergencies only. 

Below is a map of the Neighbourhood Safer Places located at Council Halls or Parks.

Below is a full list of Neighbourhood Safer places in the Wingecarribee Shire.

Remember:

• Your safest option will always be to leave early.
• People with special needs, such as the elderly and people with a disability, should always leave before the threat of bush fire.
• If it is unsafe to leave the area or stay and defend your property, and the path is clear, you should move to your pre-identified Neighbourhood Safer Place, or other safer location, prior to the impact of a bush fire.
• Be aware that when you are travelling to your Neighbourhood Safer Place there may be heavy smoke and poor visibility.
• It is important that you are familiar with the area. Gather at the Neighbourhood Safer Place location and remain there until the bush fire threat has passed.
• The conditions at the Neighbourhood Safer Place may be uncomfortable and you may be affected by heat, smoke and embers.
• Water, toilets and food may not be available at the Neighbourhood Safer Place and emergency service personnel may not be present.
• Neighbourhood Safer Places are not intended for pets and livestock.

For further information on Neighbourhood Safer Places visit the NSW Rural Fire Service website. 

Alcohol Free Zones

The Services and Infrastructure Committee of Wingecarribee Shire Council, at their meeting on 22 November 2018, declared the following streets and car parks as Alcohol Free Zones for a further three-year period between December 2018 and December 2022:

This is the maximum period allowed under the Local Government Act (1993) although the Alcohol Free Zones can be re-established every three years.

The declaration of these Zones reflects concern that there is anti-social and irresponsible behaviour arising from the consumption of alcohol on the streets and car parks listed.

Alcohol Free Zones

The Alcohol Free Zones will be operational from December 2018 - December 2022 and/or when the Alcohol Free Zone locations are adequately signposted 

Refer to the attached documents below for Alcohol Free Zones and Alcohol Prohibited Zones in each of the main towns:

WSC Bowral Alcohol Free Alcohol Prohibited Zones(PDF, 3MB)

WSC Mittagong Alcohol Free Zones(PDF, 3MB)

WSC Moss Vale Alcohol Free Zones(PDF, 3MB)

WSC Declaration Zones for Public Display(PDF, 10KB)

Community Safety

Wingecarribee Community Safety Committee

Council works in partnership with the Hume Area Command, local business chambers and community representatives to monitor and plan for community safety through the Wingecarribee Community Safety Committee. 

Further information on this committee can be found below:

Wingecarribee Community Safety Committee Terms of Reference(PDF, 313KB)

Southern Highlands Domestic Violence Forum 

The Southern Highlands Domestic Violence Forum aims to raise awareness of what constitutes domestic and family violence and to reduce the incidence of violence, abuse and anti-social behaviour in the Southern Highlands by spreading the message of ‘RESPECT’. The forum also promotes local services available to provide support and assistance to those impacted by domestic violence.

For further information about services available to those experiencing any form of domestic and family violence, please download the below;

Wingecarribee Domestic and Family Violence Service Brochure(PDF, 3MB)

Wingecarribee Community Safety Plan

Wingecarribee Shire Council has an adopted Community Safety Plan. 

The Plan has been developed using information gathered from a Community Safety Survey and local crime statistics and has been prepared in consultation with the Wingecarribee Community Safety Committee and the Hume Area Command.

The plan identifies four key community safety issues for the community and details how Council will work with relevant stakeholders to respond to and enhance community safety in the Wingecarribee Shire.

The plan can be viewed below: 

Wingecarribee Community Safety Plan

Love Bites

Love Bites is a respectful relationships education program for young people aged 15-17 years. It aims to provide young people with a safe environment to examine, discuss and explore respectful relationships. All Love Bites programming takes a strength-based approach and views young people as active participants who are able to make choices for themselves and their relationships when supported with information and opportunity for skill development.

Love Bites education is focused on three critical areas for learning:

• Knowledge: youth-led collaborative learning
• Attitudes: critical thinking and decision-making and
• Behaviours: problem solving and communication skills

The overall aims of the programming are to equip young people with the knowledge needed to have respectful relationships, encourage and develop their skills in critical thinking and assist them in being able to problem solve and communicate effectively. When equipped in these areas, NAPCAN believes that young people can make the right choices for themselves and their relationships that are free from violence and abuse.

Wingecarribee Shire Council works with local services to coordinate Love Bites delivery at High Schools across the LGA to ensure that the program is consistent and professionally presented by local facilitators.

For enquiries regarding Love Bites program availability, or to be added to the list of trained local Love Bites facilitators, please contact lovebiteswingecarribee@gmail.com.