My farm, my community initiative helps to tackle rural crime
Police and community members in the regional council area of Goondiwindi, which includes parts of Inland Rail’s QLD/NSW Border to Gowrie project, have joined forces to tackle crime in the area, thanks in part to support from Inland Rail.
June 29, 2022
‘My Farm, My Community’ is a local initiative by Inglewood Police that covers the rural properties, communities and town centres of Goondiwindi, Yelarbon, Inglewood and Talwood.
Sergeant Christopher Reeves, Officer-in-Charge of Inglewood Station, has worked in the area for 10 years and suspected that the amount of crime being reported to police amongst the rural community was only scratching the surface.
Sergeant Reeves spent 12 months conducting surveys, understanding the needs of the local farming community, and developing the ‘My Farm, My Community’ project.
‘My farm, My Community’ has three objectives – increase awareness among the farming community to report crime, better equip the area with security monitoring devices, and improve the flow of information between police and farmers.
“We needed to increase awareness amongst the farming community that we want them to report crime, no matter the scale, and to boost their confidence in our commitment and ability to act,” Sergeant Reeves said.
“Through our financial sponsors we secured funding to produce corflute signage for landowners to fix to gates or fences to increase our police presence throughout the area.”
Rollout of the My Farm, My Community project began in May with a series of forums delivered by police in the NSW/ QLD Border to Gowrie project area and the communities of Goondiwindi and Inglewood.
ARTC Inland Rail proudly helped support this initiative by providing a grant contribution through the Inland Rail Community Sponsorships and Donations program. Further financial support was also provided by Goondiwindi Regional Council and Elders.
Our Community Sponsorships and Donations program offers funding between $1000–$4000 for individuals and organisations in regional areas along the Inland Rail route that contribute to local and regional prosperity, wellbeing and sustainability. Applications for the current round of funding close on 31 July 2022.
We encourage you to check your funding eligibility and apply. Please include as much information as you can to tell the story of what you want to achieve and how it will benefit your community.
Please visit our website or contact your local engagement representative who will be happy to provide advice and answer any questions:
- Applicants based between Whetstone and Gowrie can contact Belinda Scott-Toms via 0428 079 508 or bscott-toms@artc.com.au
- Applicants based between North Star and Whetstone can contact Emily Louden via 0439 773 413 or elouden@artc.com.au.
