Community & Business
15 September, 2023
Local towns added into security home assist program
A PROGRAM that assists seniors to make security improvements to their homes has now been extended to cover the Mareeba Shire and the Tablelands region.
The $15 million Home Assist program was announced earlier this year but was only a trial and only available to seniors living in Cairns, Mt Isa and Townsville.
Member for Hill Shane Knuth raised the matter in Parliament in June, asking whether the program could be extended to help the growing number of older people whose homes were being targeted by thieves.
Last week, his office advised the State Government had agreed to extend the program to the local government areas of Mareeba and the Tablelands.
“This funding is a start in helping seniors feel safer in their own homes however more still needs to be done and we need to address the real issue of crime,” Mr Knuth said.
“We must combat the ever-increasing crime rates across the State to reduce the increase crime problem.”
The program provides financial assistance for eligible seniors to install practical home security improvements such as strengthening window locks and shutters, addressing design issues that enable ease of access for criminals, and installing CCTV cameras.
To be eligible, people must be aged 60 years or over, be a current Pensioner Concession Card holder, be unable to afford the works themselves, and be unable to receive similar assistance through other government programs.
To apply, phone 13QGOV (13 74 68) or go to www.qld.gov.au/home and search for Home Assist.
