Public events in Canberra will soon be safer following the procurement of two new sets of vehicle protection barriers after a trial earlier in the year.
Announced by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mick Gentleman, the new barriers stop unauthorised vehicles and protect pedestrians.
They were tested during this year’s National Multicultural Festival.
“Their innovative design allows them to be moved quickly so that police and emergency services vehicles can pass through,” Mr Gentleman said.
“The barriers are part of the Government’s $2 million investment in making Canberra’s public spaces, events and venues safe,” he said.
He said the Government had been working closely with ACT Police and event organisers on a range of public safety measures and the barriers would complement upgrades to Public Safety CCTV cameras.
“This is part of the ACT’s commitment to implementing Australia’s Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places from Terrorism,” Mr Gentleman said.
“In additional to the Public Safety CCTV Network, we now have 20 solar powered CCTV cameras operating across the ACT to monitor public safety, protect assets and prevent crime.”
He said five solar powered CCTV cameras and the new vehicle barriers would be deployed at Floriade, which kicks off this Saturday (14 September).
