Gunnedah Shire Council’s Crime Prevention Working Group recently undertook a walking tour of the closed circuit television (CCTV) network in the Gunnedah CBD. The tour was conducted to revisit and review the current locations of cameras and to determine future approaches to maintaining and expanding the network.

Undertaking the tour were members of the Working Group including Chair Cr Colleen Fuller, Mayor Jaimie Chaffey, Cr David Moses, Cr John Campbell, Cr Murray O’Keefe, Inspector Michael Wurth, Senior Constable Damian Wood, Director Planning & Environmental Services Andrew Johns, Council’s, Information Services Manager Wayne Somerville, and Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton.

Council currently has 17 CCTV cameras located throughout the western end of the CBD and recently obtained $44,582 under a Safer Streets Programme grant from the Australian Government to extend the network to the eastern end of the CBD entertainment and shopping precincts, with Council contributing a further $10,000 to the project
“The walking tour’s aim was to finalise the locations under the scope of this project, but it also presented a perfect opportunity to review the existing network to identify gaps and potential for further CCTV installations” Working Group Chair Cr Fuller said.

“Council is committed to supporting local businesses and entertainment venues through the reduction of street crime, illicit activity and anti-social behaviour in the CBD, and by assisting Police with quality footage that facilitates the early apprehension of offenders. Adopting a strategic planning approach with consideration to the next 5-10 years makes good financial sense” Mayor Jaimie Chaffey said.

“It is important that we get the infrastructure right first, as this will reduce costs for Council and the ratepayer down the track, provide us with the flexibility and portability to expand the network across a number of stages, and ensure our maintenance burden is kept to a minimal” he concluded.

ENDS

Media Contact: Eliza Gallen 6740 2100.