- 21 local councils will receive funding for crime prevention measures to protect small and family businesses and their staff under the latest round of the Secure Communities Partnership Program.
- The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer and delivering support for small and family businesses after Labor’s decade of decline.
- The investment will support small business owners to operate with greater confidence, reduce the impact of crime and support local economic activity.
Queensland small and family businesses will benefit from crime prevention measures in a major funding boost to improve safety in local business precincts and create environments where businesses can grow and thrive.
A total of 21 local councils received funding under Round 2 of the Crisafulli Government’s $40 million Secure Communities Partnership Program, delivering 24 crime prevention projects across Queensland.
The targeted program is making Queensland safer and delivering support for hundreds of small and family businesses after Labor’s decade of decline which saw crime rates soar.
The Crisafulli Government is turning the tide on Labor’s soaring victim numbers with measures including stronger laws and more police on the ground which is already delivering positive early results in the fight against Labor’s Youth Crime Crisis.
Projects to receive funding under the latest round of Secure Communities Partnership Program includes CCTV-related installations, physical infrastructure upgrades such as design and landscaping, and perimeter and property defences improvements.
Successful applications included CCTV surveillance in Boonah Town Centre and Far North Queensland towns of Aurukun and Kowanyama, while lighting will be improved in Toowoomba’s CBD to enhance the security of local businesses, staff and customers.
Minister for Small and Family Business Steve Minnikin said the Crisafulli Government’s partnership with councils was delivering vital crime prevention measures for a large number of small and family businesses.
“This program is continuing to deliver practical crime prevention measures that create a safer environment for small businesses, their staff and customers,” Minister Minnikin said.
“In this round, councils will implement critical safety projects, benefiting more than 500 small and family businesses in all corners of the State.”
Member for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts welcomed the $390,000 jointly-funded support for Toowoomba Regional Council to deliver safety for businesses in the local CBD.
“When small businesses and their staff feel secure, they can get on with what they do best, serving their local communities, creating jobs and driving Queensland’s economy forward,” Mr Watts said.
“The Crisafulli Government is backing local businesses, building community confidence and ensuring our towns and city centres remain attractive places to work, shop and invest.”
Toowoomba Mayor Geoff McDonald said the partnership with the Crisafulli Government was important to deliver for regional communities like Toowoomba.
“Small businesses in regional communities face unique differences, which is why a partnership between state and Council can deliver great safety outcomes,” Mr McDonald said.
“Strengthening safety in our business precincts is not only about protecting people, it’s about supporting the long‑term economic growth of our region. When small and family businesses feel secure, they can invest, expand, and create more local jobs.
“These upgrades reflect the strong partnership between Council and the Crisafulli Government, working together to deliver practical improvements that boost confidence and help our community thrive.”
