COUNTER TERRORISM
Operators are required to mitigate the risk to the users of their space. From the recommendations set out in the Australian New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee’s ‘Australia’s strategy for protecting crowded places from terrorism’, this now relates to risk mitigation against terrorism. CCEP can assist in ensuring that a project leaves the design stage meeting these requirements. Specialising in anti-vehicle counter-terrorism, we aim to support a process that achieves the delicate balance between fulfilling intended design and providing safety to those using the space.
As independent consulting engineers, we provide design reviews for all levels of government, landscape architects, artists, and designers.
BALANCE, THROUGH DESIGN NOT FORTRESS BUILDING
ANTI - VEHICLE DEFENSE
At CCEP we are familiar with the problems faced when ensuring a space is acceptably risk managed while maintaining its aesthetic and functional value. As reinforced by Prime Minister Turnbull, turning an area into a fortress may make it safer in a risk management view, but it also makes it less attractive to the intended user.
The use of concrete blocks in Melbourne in response to the Bourke and Swanston street incidents and the protective concrete barriers in Sydney’s Martin place are examples of an effective yet abrasive security method.
It is our goal to help design solutions to the anti-vehicle challenge that achieves the necessary balance rather than take away from the area.
With the rise in vehicle-based terrorist attacks globally, the Australian government has indicated that operators of crowded spaces should take steps to mitigate the risk to their users.
Spaces which are symbolic, opportunistic or high value exist as attractive targets for terrorist action. Combined with the rise of vehicle-borne attacks as an increasing trend, limiting vehicle access can disrupt this capability and makes it a less viable option.
Shopping centres, schools, and universities, CBD’s, event locations such as sports stadiums and venues are key examples of areas which require security against potential vehicle attacks.
The same method can also is employed to unrelated vehicle situations where accidental property damage, injury or involuntary manslaughter is likely if a vehicle loses control and enters the space.
This may take shape as a secondary internal anti-vehicle protection such as surrounding an internal carpark in a school.