Clarence Valley Council is set to receive nearly $150,000 in funding to activate Grafton’s Market Square and make it a safe and attractive public space, Clarence Nationals MP Clarence Chris Gulaptis announced last Wednesday. The grant is part of the Liberals & Nationals’ Community Safety Fund, which will deliver $10 million over four years to community safety projects with a focus on crime prevention. Mr Gulaptis said that local crime has a significant social and economic cost, and providing Grafton with safe spaces for community engagement is crucial in diverting people from criminal and anti-social behaviour. “I am delighted Clarence Valley Council’s application to improve lighting, fencing, landscaping and signage in Grafton’s Market Square has been successful in this round of the Community Safety Fund grants,” Mr Gulaptis said. “This Government is committed to doing all it can to keep people on the right side of the law, and out of the justice system. “We acknowledge that a one-size-fits-all model simply does not work when it comes to reducing criminal and anti-social activity in our regions. “Importantly, this project is the result of collaboration between Council, local police and the liquor accord, and has Grafton-specific solutions at its heart.” I congratulate Clarence Valley Council on taking proactive steps to reduce crime and boost local pride. “I’m enormously proud that we are working with communities to bring local crime prevention strategies to fruition,” Mr Gulaptis said. “I commend Clarence Valley Council for identifying the need for this local project, and its commitment to giving local people the best possible facilities to promote community safety,” he said. Clarence Valley Mayor, Jim Simmons, said recent surveys conducted by Council overwhelmingly found residents wanted to live in a safe community. “This funding announcement meets those community sentiments nicely and we thank the State Government for its support,” he said. “Market Square is a wonderful piece of public open space and this funding will help make it safer and more user-friendly.”