Kempsey is one step closer to having cameras monitoring the CBD.

The business community has committed to fund half the cost of a feasibility study into setting up a Closed Circuit TV system in the business district.

At last Thursday night’s chamber of commerce meeting, businessman Benn Farrawell pushed the issue, getting commitments from businesspeople for funding, until he got enough money for a study to be done.

Mr Farrawell has been a passionate supporter of the introduction of CCTV and on Thursday night he was keen for the chamber to give a commitment to council about providing the money, even if the total amount had not been found.

Kempsey Shire Council had asked the business community to put up half of the $25,000 needed to complete the study.

Along with contributions from businesses, the chamber itself agreed to contribute as much as $2,500 to make up any shortfall.

Mr Farrawell said he didn’t believe the chamber would have to contribute that much. That suggests more than $10,000 will come from local businesses.

The introduction of a monitoring system is aimed at stopping anti-social and criminal behaviour.

It would also be introduced in the business districts of South West Rocks and Crescent Head.

Mr Farrawell is basing his plan on a CCTV system introduced at Ipswich and he told the chamber meeting crime had reduced dramatically in the Queensland city in the year after the system was set up.

He said CCTV wasn’t just to deal with crime either. If a group of children was loitering in the street during school hours, a truancy officer would be contacted.

In September last year, Council formed the CCTV Working Party following concerns raised by both Council and the business community on crime issues particularly in the Kempsey CBD.

The Working Party investigated and researched information on other Councils and their implementation of CCTV facilities, which led to a meeting with Ipswich Council.