City to consider expanding mobile CCTV network as residents petition about safety concerns
The City considering rolling out more mobile CCTV cameras, as Burleigh residents call for extra security backup where light rail will be expanded.
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City Hall will consider rolling out more mobile CCTV cameras as Burleigh residents call for security back-up along the expanded light rail route.
A petition from the Palm 18E Neighbourhood Watch group to council voiced concerns by residents about youth crime wrecking the iconic beach tourist destination.
Northern-based councillor Mark Hammel backed by committee chair Hermann Vorster called for an updated report looking at expanding Gold Coast City Council’s fleet of mobile CCTV cameras.
“It’s been roughly 12 months since the new mobile CCTV program was rolled out across the City in which every division now has four allocated mobile tower cameras,” Cr Hammel said.
“In my opinion it has been a really successful program after some teething issues. We can get a feasibility report from the contractor in a couple of days and move the camera, which has been a great addition and welcomed by the community.”
Cr Hammel added that it was important to explore options “of increasing from four to five to six” cameras” and converting more to permanent “hot spot” crime locations. Officers are to report back with an update by September.
Council has 872 cameras, 500 of them in the main entertainment precinct and 233 in the mobile fleet.
The report to council in response to the Burleigh resident petition found:
* In 2022, 125 complaints were received relating to illegal camping on The Esplanade.
* Officers gave 114 warnings and nine fines, each valued at $718.
* On seeing an offence, a verbal or written warning and direction to move on is given but repeat offenders are fined.
* Despite some views that council needs to take tougher action, the fine of $718 is higher than comparable local governments where penalties range from $110 to $287.
Residents asked that the Department of Main Roads and Transport (TMR) expand its proposed safety camera network along the light rail to include a wider monitored catchment, including into the Burleigh CBD
Cr Vorster has backed the call and sought an upgraded safety deal as the trams are rolled out from Broadbeach to Burleigh and the airport.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey in a response strongly rejected linking trams to crime and added that an extensive CCTV system was operating on light rail.
Council officers told petitioners the issue was the responsibility of the TMR and “outside the scope of this report”.
“It is therefore recommended that the head petitioner be advised to contact TMR regarding the safety camera network along the light rail,” officers wrote.
Petitioners said there were insufficient police resources hampering council’s ability to respond to community concern.
“QPS officers regularly undertake joint inspections with City officers to provide assistance and support to our officers while undertaking their duties. The City is unable to comment on matters relating to QPS resourcing, the chief petitioner is advised to contact QPS for comment on this matter,” officers said.
Deputy Mayor Donna Gates told the committee: “I’ve been disappointed in the commentary around people feeling safe in our city. Because people do genuinely feel safe in our city.
“I recognise we’ve had some pretty concerning incidents of late but overall the numbers are not reflective of a problem, they are actually reflecting an improvement.”
MAJORITY OF COAST RESIDENTS FEEL UNSAFE AT NIGHT
The majority of Glitter Strip residents do not feel safe at night according to a survey, with a civic leader saying there are fears the Gold Coast’s expanding light rail route will take the trouble further south.
The findings have sparked calls for a state commitment to more CCTV security measures along the rail route.
Gold Coast City Council’s lifestyle committee on Tuesday will consider a safety audit report where surveying of residents found hooning, drugs and the homeless are the biggest concerns.
The City safety audit report including data from a resident survey found:
* 84 per cent of Coast residents feel safe during the day.
* But only 39 per cent said they felt safe at night.
* Top safety concerns were drug use (54 per cent), hooning (39 per cent) and robbery (35 per cent).
* 23 per cent believe a visible police presence increased their feelings of safety.
* At least 70 per cent regarded CCTV as improving their sense of security.
Committee chair Hermann Vorster will push for an upgraded safety response deal with the state government as light rail is rolled out from Broadbeach to Burleigh and eventually to the airport.
His tram commentary has sparked a furious response from state Transport Minister Mark Bailey.
Cr Vorster told the Bulletin: “Locals worry that the state is transporting public nuisance on public transport, and that could import more crime into southern communities as the light rail snakes south.
“A good move would be for the state to commit to more safety cameras through the light rail
corridor, even into the side streets and village CBDs.”
Cr Vorster criticised the government for “planned concessions for ice and heroine addicts” and the lack of new police recruits to back up hard working officers on the beat.
“Locals are angry, they’re frustrated and they feel under siege in their own homes,” he said.
“The situation has reached breaking point – and the government seems deaf to pleas for urgent and massive reform.”
Mr Bailey believes Cr Vorster’s remarks are all about boosting his profile to win Michael Hart’s Burleigh seat if the LNP backbencher retires.
He said it was “incredibly dishonest and disrespectful” for Councillor Vorster to link public transport and complex social issues such as homelessness and drug use.
“An extensive CCTV system is operating across the existing light rail network, covering all stations, with cameras also fitted on-board each vehicle,” Mr Bailey said.
“There are also regular security patrols happening across the line from Helensvale to Broadbeach.
“CCTV will be included in new trams and new stations as part of Light Rail Stage 3 construction, and in partnership with G-Link and QPS, TMR will continue to evaluate the need for additional Network Officer patrols.”
Cr Vorster suggested some suburbs are at risk of permanent reputation damage.
“It’s worrying so many locals do not feel more safe in their own neighbourhoods, especially in the early evenings and at night-time,” he said.
“This could be having an impact on the return on our investment in parks, and be hammering
small businesses that depend on foot traffic.
“The results (of the audit) mirror what I’m hearing on the ground – with so many locals pushing for more cameras, better lighting and more safety audits to boost passive surveillance.
“Even business owners are now speaking up willing to financially contribute to better public
lighting so their staff are at ease.”
“It’s definitely something that demands more attention, including in areas like Burleigh where
anti-social behaviour near licensed venues risks permanent reputation damage.”
Originally published as City to consider expanding mobile CCTV network as residents petition about safety concerns
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