Community safety symposium planned

A Safe Communities Symposium will be held at the Peninsula Theatre, Woy Woy, in August.

The symposium will bring together agencies and organisations in the Gosford City area that deal with safety issues and organisers are looking for interested groups to attend.

the symposium aims to provide information and advice about what kinds of safety issues are occurring in the community and what a coordinated effort of agencies can do.

The symposium is being organised by the Gosford Safe Communities Coalition Steering Group and will include presentations from the Fire Brigade, Workcover and NSW Health.

"We would like to see all of the organisations that work in the safety arena at the event," said steering group chairman Mr Frank Murphy from NSW Fire Brigades.

"This is a great opportunity for safety personnel to come together and have input into future safety strategies and actions for the area.

"We hope that the outcomes of the symposium will lead on to involving and working with interested community groups and individuals to create a safer Gosford for everyone," Mr Murphy said.

Speakers at the symposium will include the NSW Coordinator for Safe Communities, Ms Jennie Pry, as well as representatives from local safety agencies.

The Safe Communities Coalition steering committee is part of an international movement fostered by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

"The Safe Communities Coalition is dedicated to communities in which all sectors of the community work together in a coordinated and collaborative way, forming partnerships to promote safety, manage risk and increase the overall safety of its members," Mr Murphy said.

The steering committee for the Gosford Safe Communities Coalition has been meeting for the past six months to develop a proposed framework for action.

The symposium will be held at Peninsula Theatre on Thursday, August 12, from 9am to 4pm.

Cost is $20 per person.

Any agencies interested in being involved should email anniewarn@idl.com.au or ring 4349 4800.

Press release, July 7 Julie Parsons, Peninsula Project Manager