Double Bay to get 33-camera CCTV system with facial recognition technology

POLICE say a new $450,000 CCTV network to be switched on in Double Bay will be able to recognise late-night troublemakers automatically.

Revellers outside of Casablanca Nightclub in Double Bay around 11pm on a Saturday. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

A 33-CAMERA CCTV network — including state-of-the-art facial recognition technology — will be switched on in Double Bay to watch over the suburb’s night-life.

Woollahra Council has approved the $450,000 system with 11 cameras to be ­installed on Bay St alone, where three of the city’s hottest night spots trade until the early hours on weekends.

Rose Bay police have backed the plan and requested the facial-recognition cameras, which will be in 12 locations, to automatically detect people of interest.

Bay St, Double Bay where cameras will watch over weekend party crowds. Picture: Damian Shaw.

But the system, which will be delivered in the council’s 2016-17 budget, will not be monitored in real time, or even hooked up to a monitor in its early days.

“The system will be recording footage for evidentiary purposes and incident investigation,” a council spokeswoman said.

“But we will continue to discuss options for real-time monitoring with the Rose Bay police, either at the police station or at another site.”

Double Bay night-life has flourished since the 2014 lockout laws put many revellers off Kings Cross and the CBD but it has come with fears about unruly crowds.

After dark Double Bay comes to life. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

Crowds outside the Casablanca Nightclub in Double Bay late on a Saturday night. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

Councillor Anthony Marano said: “It’s not going to get any quieter. Double Bay’s back on the map.”

Council staff said in a report there was a “growing perception, supported by media reports, that the burgeoning night time economy is bringing with it at least a growing risk of violent or anti-social behaviour.”

Cr Andrew Petrie said he had privacy concerns with putting streets under surveillance but voted for it on advice from police.

“I’m a bit split on it, but given the recommendation of police it makes it difficult to take the opposing view,” Cr Petrie said.

Double Bay Chamber of Commerce chairwoman Katherine O’Regan said the system was important but only one part of keeping the area safe.

“CCTV is still about catching people after the event. Police are also doing more patrols,” she said.

The council will implement a code of practice for how the system is used.

The Cosmopolitan Coffee Shop in Double Bay, late on the weekeend. Picture: Gordon McComiskie