No. 56

Feasibility study into upgrading and expanding CCTV

The ACT Government is to examine further upgrading of the Civic Safety Camera System and expanding it into other areas of Canberra with $350,000 in funding for a feasibility study in this year’s Budget.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Simon Corbell said today that the Government would conduct a comprehensive feasibility study into the upgrading of the CCTV cameras in Civic, and the installation of CCTV cameras at Manuka and Kingston, and in the Town Centres.

“The Government is looking at the installation of CCTV cameras in entertainment areas including Manuka and Kingston, and in the Town Centres for protection and crime prevention,” he said.
  
“CCTV cameras have been demonstrated to improve crime prevention and policing strategies; to create a safer environment; to augment police intelligence and evidentiary capabilities; and, consistent with the Government’s undertakings under the national counter terrorism arrangements, to protect places of mass gathering and other critical infrastructure.

“The feasibility study will help to inform the Government when it is considering an expanded CCTV network in 2008-09.

“This initiative builds on the 2006-07 funding for CCTV cameras at significant mass gathering sites and transport nodes, and on ACTION buses, which were among the recommendations from the Review of CCTV Capability in the ACT.

”These cameras have been progressively installed and will be in place towards the end of 2007.”