OUR FORGOTTEN PEOPLE

Call for social services and security at Tent City

SUPPORT services are needed urgently at the Hobart showground’s tent city — the last refuge of victims of the state’s rental crisis.

Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania chief executive Scott Gadd says a full-time housing case worker and security services are needed urgently to support the families living there. Residents are struggling with basic kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities, as Mr Gadd and his small team attempt to rehouse them in permanent accommodation amid domestic incidents and deteriorating weather.

The Government held a housing summit last week in response to the rental crisis, but it could be weeks before immediate solutions are implemented.

HOME security is one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets and household crimes are affecting more than a million Australians each year.

New Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that last financial year 458,000 households, or 5 per cent of all households, reported at least one incident of malicious damage. Another 420,000 reported a break-in or attempted break-in, while 253,000 experienced other theft.

Many people believe protecting their home costs thousands of dollars, but falling technology prices have cut back the costs, while some measures are free.

Security and electronics firm Swann’s vice president of global marketing, Jeremy Stewart, said there was a large industry with a vested interest in selling expensive products and services, but home security no longer required a big

investment.

“Now, you can install CCTV surveillance starting from a few hundred dollars in price and do it all by yourself,” he said.

“Prices range anywhere from $20 for an imitation camera all the way up to thousands of dollars for an ultra-HD wired system.”

Mr Stewart said free ways to beef up home security included getting to know your neighbours and keeping an eye on each other’s properties, ensuring your home looked lived in, putting security stickers on windows, and locking doors and windows even when at home.

Buyologists founder Mike Chalmers said home security systems could also allow people to save on insurance.

“Most insurance companies offer discounts to homes that have security systems, so before making any decisions, check your policy first,” he said.

Mr Chalmers said buyers should also ask if there were discounts for cash or prepayment up-front.