Dubbo’s out-of-date and failing safety camera system is set to receive an upgrade.

Council’s Finance and Policy committee has considered a report that recommends upgrading the 11 safety cameras in the CBD to the tune of $85,710.

A report from IPP Consulting in November 2006 stated the cameras were failing. Spare parts had become difficult to obtain and technology was being superseded.

The report recommends the cameras be linked to Country Energy’s underground optic fibre cables within the CBD.

An additional seven security cameras will be installed in Dubbo, with police advising council of the specific locations.

The extra cameras will be installed at:

n The Victoria Park skate park, to monitor the area and across to the Garden Hotel.

n Brisbane Street in front of the Darcy Kennedy Building.

n Macquarie Street in front of The Warehouse, to monitor the French Hot Bread Shop.

n Roundabout at corner of Whylandra and Victoria streets, to monitor service station car parks, Cattleman’s Motel and Hungry Jack’s car park.

n Corner of Macquarie and Bultje Streets in front of the RTA.

n Talbragar Street in front of the Pastoral Hotel.

n Corner of Brisbane and Talbragar streets.

Supply and installation of the seven cameras is expected to cost about $49,259.

Cr Tina Renyolds welcomes the installation of new camera’s at various sites.

Orana Local Area Command acting crime manager Detective Sergeant Mark Meredith said the new cameras will help police.

Police have also asked that the security camera at Blockbuster Video on the corner of Cobra and Brisbane streets be relocated to a point in Cobra Street, halfway between Macquarie and Brisbane streets.

The camera is being moved in order to monitor the car parks on the northern side of Cobra Street.

belinda.galloway@ruralpress.com

Council may look at installing additional cameras once final costs are known and a decision will be made on the amount of money to be set aside for maintenance, repairs and replacement of safety components over the next four years.

The recommendations made at the Monday’s Finance and Policy Committee meeting will be voted on at council’s ordinary meeting on Monday 28 July.

“The skate park camera is a great idea, it’s for the safety and protection of the kids and children tend to behave themselves when they know they are being watched,” she said.

“It’s great to see council, police and Country Energy working together on this project,” she said.

“Any technology that is going to help deter anti-social behaviour we welcome, “ Detective Sergeant Meredith said.