29th February 2008    
PRESS RELEASE  
Plantation Palms Official Signage Handover to Northern Beaches Neighbourhood Watch Committee & their Commitment to Crime Prevention through Environmental Design      

VENUE          MACKAY NORTHERN BEACHES POLICE STATION
DATE             4:00PM MONDAY 3RD MARCH 2008    

Plantation Palms has extended its commitment to the Queensland Government’s new Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) Guidelines with the handover of the new sign to the Northern Beaches Neighbourhood Watch Committee.  

Mr. Simon Howell of Xcel Property Group (developers of Plantation Palms) states, “Many of the CPTED principles have already been included in the Plantation Palms development and in its urban design which commenced in 2004, well before the November 2007 launch of the CPTED Guidelines for Queensland.” The design elements make the new Plantation Palms community a safe and secure one, as well as assist in reducing opportunity for crimes.  

Some of the design principles included in the development are neighbourhoods designed to encourage outdoor activities such as walking and cycling; the creation of streets that are overlooked by homes and buildings; and homes built closer to the front boundary of the streets incorporating front porches and verandahs to encourage community watch. Community open spaces are clearly defined with passive surveillance provided by adjoining dwellings to the public spaces. The variety of lots and housing types also enhance a wide range of passive surveillance thourought the daytimes and evenings.  

A key aim of CTPED Guidelines is to inform and encourage the community to participate in creating and maintaining safe environments. Mr. Howell believes “the culmination of the Plantation Palms design and the provision of the Northern Beaches Neighbourhood Watch signage will make Plantation Palms and the surrounding community a much safer place to reside.”
CPTED Relelase 3 March 2008 2008 V3