Councillors call for CCTV on route 57 and 59 trams

Moonee Valley councillors are calling for CCTV cameras on the old fleet of route 57 and 59 trams after a woman was sexually assaulted on board last month.

A councillor is moving a notice of motion this week to get CCTV on the no 57 and 59 trams. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Safer public transport for Moonee Valley is on the cards after a councillor was shocked to find out there were no CCTV cameras on the route 57 and 59 trams.

Cr Rebecca Gauci Maurici moved a motion at last week’s council meeting for the mayor to write a letter to State Transport Minister Jacinta Allan and Yarra Trams chief executive Nicolas Gindt requesting the installation of CCTV cameras on the trams.

Cr Gauci Maurici said until recently she had no idea the trams were without CCTV.

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“I was really cornered last month when I learnt that one of our inspiring young women from the women leadership programs was assaulted on the (route) 57 tram,” she said.

“What concerned me more than that though was when she went through the process of speaking to the police and trying to make reports, we learnt that CCTV is only on new trams.” There are no CCTV cameras on any of the old stock trams, which includes those on route 57 and 59, which run through Moonee Valley.

“This motion goes to the heart of increasing safety for our residents,” Cr Gauci Maurici said.

The route 57 and 59 trams do not have CCTV because they are from the old fleet.
Picture: George Salpigtidis

“If Yarra Trams would prefer, they are welcome to replace all our old stock with new stock but I think CCTV may be more achievable.”

Cr John Sipek commended the motion and unsuccessfully moved an amendment to ask that the council would not have to pay for the cameras.

“We only passed the budget half an hour ago and were concerned about costs and I want to make sure we don’t foot the bill for this,” Cr Sipek said.

Cr Samantha Byrne said adding the amendment would be “tacky” and that the council not paying for the cameras was implied. Cr Jim Cusack said he often caught the route 57 tram and that it went through “colourful neighbourhoods”.

“I can understand people may feel uncomfortable or unsafe and there would serious comfort given by adding CCTV,” Cr Cusack said.

“That tram also goes past the Showgrounds and Flemington Racecourse, which are regularly attended by large crowds and their safety has to be considered.”

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