CCTV cameras for Mount Druitt town centre given green light

Published on 01 September 2020

The installation of CCTV cameras across the Mount Druitt town centre has been given the green light by Blacktown City Council.

A comprehensive community safety audit was led by Council staff, with input from the community, police, local business and local human service agencies.

The audit looked at factors around crime prevention, physical safety and injury prevention, aspirations of community members and users, urbanisation and activation, and transformational development.

Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM, welcomed the 12 recommendations of the Mount Druitt town centre community safety audit report.

“The safety and well-being of all our residents is a top priority for Blacktown City Council,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

A Council response to the audit was approved by Council at its monthly meeting on Wednesday night.

In July this year Blacktown City Council secured $267,750 from the federal government’s Safer Communities Fund to install CCTV in Mount Druitt town centre.

Council policy is that it will operate CCTV cameras in public domain areas subject to external funding being made available.

The report recommended Council install CCTV using financing from the Safer Communities Fund, with installation of the cameras recommended for completion by the end of March 2021.

Mayor Bleasdale said “The recommendations made in this report provide practical ways that Council can help improve and enhance the amenity and liveability of the Mount Druitt town centre.

“As Mount Druitt’s CBD goes through significant changes, with high density development planned within and close by to the precinct, we want locals and visitors to our wonderfully diverse City to enjoy all the area has to offer.”

The safety audit makes further recommendations for a follow-up lighting audit with Westfield management, and pruning trees to stop them interfering with effective path lighting along Chris Murphy Walk, and the path within the Mount Druitt Town Centre Reserve (which links Mount Street to Mount Druitt Hospital).

In the medium term, the report recommended that fairy lights be placed in trees to illuminate Dawson Mall to create a sense of legitimate space, and that Council review and upgrade or replace wayfinding signage in the mall.

A masterplan is currently being developed by Blacktown City Council for the Mount Druitt town centre. The masterplan will be informed by the lighting audit. 

Picture: Mobile skate park at Youth Week event in Dawson Mall, Mount Druitt, in 2018.