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CCTV boost for Ballarat's CBD

12 Aug, 2010 01:46 AM
MORE security cameras will be installed in Ballarat's CBD by a re-elected Labor government as part of its election pitch to create safer streets.

Ballarat MP Catherine King yesterday committed $100,000 for additional safety measures in Ballarat.

An evaluation of the existing CCTV camera network has been completed and is due to come before council later this month.

Although the report has yet to be made public, Ms King said CCTV cameras appeared to be effective.

"They need to be evaluated, but I think they have been successful to date," she said.

When asked if the additional cameras could exacerbate privacy concerns, Ms King said there were strong laws in place to protect personal rights.

The cameras' locations will be decided by Ballarat City Council.

Ballarat community safety advisory committee chairman John Fitzgibbon said the funding would allow the council to invest in other community safety initiatives.

"It's important to note that, ostensibly, Ballarat is a really safe place, but with community safety you can never sit back and rest on your laurels," he said.

Mr Fitzgibbon said the number of new cameras installed would depend on recommendations given in the council's security evaluation.

There are 12 security cameras operating in Ballarat which were installed in late 2008.

Ballarat Taxis Co-operative chairman Stephen Armstrong said drivers felt safer after cameras were installed at a nearby taxi rank.

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Date: Newest first | Oldest first
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
Posted by Linda from Ballan., 12/08/2010 4:41:35 AM, on The Ballarat Courier
A vote for Catherine King is a vote for the party who promised GroceryWatch, FuelWatch, wasted BILLIONS on the Home Insulation Fiasco and School Hall disaster, are

now proposing a citizens assembly on climate change after backing away from the 'greatest moral challenge of our times' . It is the same party who have taken in-fighting to a new level and have a leader who has to announce to the public she is now REAL. I had reservations about Abbott initially but now believe he has what it takes to MOVE US FORWARD from Labor's mess.

Posted by Helen, 12/08/2010 10:34:31 AM, on The Ballarat Courier
About time!
Posted by notdavid, 12/08/2010 11:07:13 AM, on The Ballarat Courier
So peoples safety only counts leading up to an election? More cameras should have been added ages ago. Maybe punishing the thugs and vandals properly would be a good deterant too.
Posted by wazza, 12/08/2010 4:52:53 PM, on The Ballarat Courier
The thing that amazing me is that the public think these camera make the street safe...? In actual fact they the streets would be a great deal safer if these camera's were monitored by police on a Friday and Saturday evening to be proactive in dealing with the trouble before it starts and people have already been assaulted and injured, instead they are not used like this so really whats to point of wasting another 100K on something that wont be used properly?
Posted by not the answer, 12/08/2010 6:22:32 PM, on The Ballarat Courier
not the answer - Agreed. I think I'd rather a police patrol on the street rather then someone watching me be robbed. Each to their own I guess.
Posted by Dean, 13/08/2010 11:20:20 AM, on The Ballarat Courier
I agree with you Dean, anyway what's the use of these cameras if we don't have the police numbers to respond? It's a political stunt as far as I'm concerned and they'll be taken down in the future anyway because govt. will complain about the cost!
Posted by Linda from Ballan., 14/08/2010 2:58:15 PM, on The Ballarat Courier
what a joke, security cameras haven't stopped the stabbings or the fatal bashing of that boy last year, despite the cameras are there... kids will continue this behavior until a proper solution is found. not just a vote winning solution.
Posted by thetruthespeaker, 16/08/2010 3:28:49 AM, on The Ballarat Courier

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BEEF UP: Committee for Ballarat chief executive officer Doug Lloyd, Federal Member for Ballarat Catherine King and community safety advisory committee chairman John Fitzgibbon inspect possible
BEEF UP: Committee for Ballarat chief executive officer Doug Lloyd, Federal Member for Ballarat Catherine King and community safety advisory committee chairman John Fitzgibbon inspect possible

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