CCTV partnership puts eyes on Waterfront Dining Precinct

Police officers can now keep a closer eye on a popular waterfront dining precinct thanks to an important security upgrade that will support efforts to keep local businesses and restaurant staff safe.

Cairns Regional Council and Ports North will work together to bulk up security at the Waterfront Dining Precinct by connecting 17 security cameras located along the boardwalk to the CitySafe program from Friday 15 November.

The upgrade ensures 24/7 live vision is streamed into the City Safe Camera Facility where police and Council staff work side-by-side to respond quickly and effectively to incidents in the Cairns CBD and ensure the community feels secure.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the increased surveillance will create a safer environment for locals, tourists and business owners and staff.

“We’re teaming up closely with the Queensland Police Service on a range of measures to stay ahead of potential antisocial issues and keep our city’s vibrancy intact,” she said.

“Last month we launched a new trial in our City Safe Camera Facility with a police officer helping to monitor live vision from our extensive camera network and today I’m announcing a critical upgrade to security at the Waterfront Dining Precinct.

“The Waterfront Dining Precinct is a real gem, filled with restaurants that showcase the best of Cairns. It’s where locals and tourists alike come together to soak up the best of the CBD.

“I’d like to thank our hardworking Council staff and Ports North for joining forces to ensure that our city is a safe and welcoming place.”

Council’s CCTV network currently includes nearly 600 cameras across Cairns, over half of which are in public spaces like streets, parks and community spaces, which are monitored 24 hours.

Council invests more than $5 million dollars every year in initiatives like public space patrols, increased CCTV surveillance and CitySafe personnel, tougher security measures for our infrastructure and facilities, plus constant engagement with Queensland Police and other agencies.

A trial is currently underway which sees a police officer working side-by-side with Council staff in the City Safe Camera Facility during periods when high anti-social behaviour often occurs, such as late on Friday and Saturday nights.

Queensland Police are already achieving a faster response time to incidents in the CBD and a greater ability to target people on warrants or banning orders.