CCTV project hits the road

Work to improve community safety and security in the Tamworth Region has literally gone on the road with a solar powered mobile Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) unit now in use.

Apart from the underlying fibre work, the $115,000 rapid deployment trailer is the single biggest cost item Tamworth Regional Council has funded using a $956,690 grant from the Australian Government’s Safer Communities Fund. 

Tamworth Regional Council Crime Prevention Working Group chair Councillor Russell Webb said the project which includes the rollout of more than 80 CCTV cameras across the region is at the half-way mark.

“This funding will result in a significant increase to our CCTV capabilities and has given us our first mobile unit as well as two fully relocatable portable CCTV systems with multiple cameras,” he said.

“We now have extensive coverage in Tamworth’s CBD and we are now about to go beyond it to install CCTV in other shopping, sporting and recreational precincts including new and upcoming facilities.

“The final stage of this project – to be completed before the end of June next year - will provide new CCTV to Manilla, Barraba and some outlying villages.”

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the mobile CCTV trailer was funded under Round 2 of the Safer Communities Fund. A further $55 million has been committed by the Federal Coalition Government for a fifth round of the program.

“This is real delivery for the people of Tamworth with nearly $1 million rolling out to help keep local streets safe, 24 hours a day,” Mr Joyce said.  

“CCTV measures such as this will deter criminals and makes public areas safer for people to visit small businesses.”

Cr Webb said the cameras would be a “great asset” to local police.

“It has been proved time and time again that footage from CCTV can be vital evidence which leads to successful prosecutions and it is a deterrent for potential offenders making our streets safer for residents and visitors,” he said.