A popular council rebate program that helps Canning residents pay for home security upgrades has reached more than 1500 households since it began in 2020; and now, Mayor Patrick Hall wants the State Government to help expand it.
The City of Canning’s Security Incentive Scheme offers cash rebates for items like CCTV cameras, security lights, locks, alarm systems and roller shutters. The program has run for six rounds and was given a major boost last year when annual funding was increased from $20,000 to $100,000.
In the most recent round, which opened in August 2024 and closed in May this year after funds were exhausted, the City approved 405 applications and funded the installation of 1256 security items. Nearly a third of applicants were concession card holders.
Mayor Patrick Hall said the scheme was one of the most cost-effective initiatives in the City’s community safety efforts and had led to a sharp increase in household spending on security.
“This is such a worthy concept, and so badly needed in the south-east corridor suburbs,” he said.
For every $1 the City spent through the program, residents spent $6.50 of their own money to secure their homes. Since its launch, the scheme has generated more than $2.1 million in resident security spend across 4288 items.
While the City has not formally approached the State Government for funding, the Mayor previously raised the idea with former Member for Cannington Bill Johnston and plans to revisit the discussion with new MP Ron Sao.
The State’s own Safety and Security Rebate program is currently limited to WA Seniors Card holders. Canning residents who qualify for that scheme can also apply for the local rebate.
The City said it continues to monitor for other funding opportunities and has secured State and Federal backing for CCTV and lighting projects, as well as a new urban art and graffiti removal program launching next month.
Although the Security Incentive Scheme was not designed to directly reduce crime, the City said feedback from residents had been overwhelmingly positive, with many participants reporting that the program helped them feel safer and supported.
Survey results from Round 6 showed 97 percent of respondents would consider applying again.
WA Police, while not directly involved in running the scheme, said home security measures such as CCTV, lighting and alarms were important crime prevention tools and frequently provided key evidence in investigations.
The Officer in Charge of Cannington Police Station at the time was consulted on the initiative and expressed support for the program.
The City said it encourages responsible use of all devices funded through the scheme and promotes WA Police’s Cam-Map WA program, which allows CCTV owners to register their cameras with police. There have been no complaints received about misuse or privacy concerns.
Participation in the latest round came from across Canning, with the most applications from Willetton, Canning Vale, Queens Park, Riverton and Ferndale. The City said the high number of applications from Willetton reflected its population size and diversity, with more than half of its residents born overseas.
While only 91 applicants used local suppliers in the latest round, the City noted that this figure did not include the large number of self-installed items, such as Wi-Fi cameras and video doorbells, which were the most popular.
A list of local suppliers is included in the application form to encourage residents to support nearby businesses, but residents are free to choose their own.
Funding for Round 7 was confirmed in the City’s 2025–26 budget, and the next round is expected to open in August. The City anticipates a similar response to previous years and expects to support at least 400 households.
“We’re committed to helping our community feel safe at home,” the City said. “This scheme continues to deliver strong outcomes for residents while encouraging personal investment in crime prevention.”
