Prime Minister Julia Gillard today announced that additional safety measures would be implemented at "The Gap" at Watsons Bay in Sydney to help prevent suicides at the notorious hotspot.
The Gap at Watsons Bay is a unique geographical site which has tragically become known as a high-profile suicide hotspot.
The Prime Minister said the work would be progressed as a priority following recommendations by the Australian Suicide Prevention Advisory Council and consultation with the Woollahra Municipal Council.
The Gillard Labor Government will provide up to $1.1 million in funding to the Woollahra Municipal Council for infrastructure to reduce suicide and self-harm at the site.
Woollahra Municipal Council has consulted widely with residents, mental health providers, police and other interested parties to develop a comprehensive Gap Park Master plan that will, among other improvements, reduce the incidence of suicide and self-harm at the site.
The government is already providing funding to Lifeline for the provision of a 24-hour crisis support line at The Gap to provide ready access to individuals who may be considering suicide at the site.
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler said the funds were in addition to the Government's election commitment to provide $9 million to local governments to improve safety and infrastructure at well-known suicide hotspots.
"The government has committed to redoubling our national efforts to prevent suicides around the country. This funding is an extra step towards this goal.
"The funding for hotspots is just one component of the Government's $276.9 million Tacking Action to Tackle Suicide package to be delivered from over the next four years from 2011 - 2012," Minister Butler said.
Other important measures include:
* Greater access to mental health services for those at the greatest risk of suicide, including psychology and psychiatry services, as well as non-clinical support to assist people with severe mental illness and their carers with their day-to-day needs ($113.9 million);
* Increased funding for direct suicide prevention and crisis intervention services as Lifeline and providing funding to improve safety at suicide 'hotspots' ($74.3 million);
* Provision of more services and support to men, who are at greatest risk of suicide but least likely to seek help ($22.8 million); and
* Promotion of good mental health and resilience in young people, to prevent suicide later in life ($65.9 million).