Pledge to double CCTV across inner-city crime spots

Melbourne’s new Lord Mayor Nick Reece has pledged to tackle crime in these hot spots if elected, while announcing a surprise political pick for his deputy.

Nick Reece has selected former federal Liberal candidate and current councillor Roshena Campbell to be his running mate. Picture: David Smith

Lord Mayor Nick Reece is promising 200 extra CCTV cameras for the city if he and his newly announced deputy can win the mayoral election in October.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal that Mr Reece, who earlier this month announced he will run for lord mayor in a bid to remain in the top job, has selected former federal Liberal candidate and current councillor Roshena Campbell to be his running mate for deputy lord mayor.

The pair’s policy to double the number of CCTV cameras across the city by 2026 by installing 200 more in the CBD and inner-city areas – such as Southbank, Docklands and Carlton – is estimated to cost almost $14m.

According to the policy, the “hi-tech cameras” will prioritise city “hot spots and black spots” where crime rates and anti-social behaviour are at their highest or where there is a gap in the network with no coverage.

A City of Melbourne security patrol vehicle, fitted with 360-degree CCTV surveillance cameras, will also operate on Melbourne streets seven days a week, under the policy. Currently, it only operates on weekends.

Map of Melbourne’s CCTV camera network.

This is the third policy announced by Mr Reece following his $10m pledge to light up the city by fitting 20 laneways with new decorative lighting and his commitment to launch a new board and summit to “help cultivate, implement and deliver major ideas”, if elected.

His policies come two months after the City of Melbourne handed down its most recent budget, with a modest surplus of only $101,000.

Mr Reece, a former Labor insider, previously told the Herald Sun he would run on a unity ticket, which would be “made up of people with different political backgrounds”.

He previously worked as a senior adviser to former prime minister Julia Gillard and Victorian premiers John Brumby and Steve Bracks, while Ms Campbell ran for the Liberals in the Aston by-election in 2023 but lost to Labor’s Mary Doyle.

Reece also served as the state secretary and campaign director of the Victorian branch of the Labor Party ahead of the 2010 state election.

Ms Campbell said as a barrister and councillor she has spent her entire working life “listening to and fighting for people”.

One of the hi-tech cameras, which was installed near Lygon St in May. Picture: David Smith

“Melbourne has given me so much and it is a privilege to be able to give back,” she said.

“I am running with Nick Reece because I believe that working together we will deliver the best outcomes for Melbourne’s residents and traders.

“As the daughter of small business owners, I know government can make a real difference to whether businesses thrive.

“I am committed to doing everything I can to make our city’s economy fire.”

Mr Reece said he was honoured Ms Campbell had agreed to be his deputy lord mayor candidate, with the pair previously running together on former lord mayor Sally Capp’s ticket in 2020.

“Roshena Campbell is someone I have a great deal of respect for. She is smart, diligent, and always works hard for the people and local businesses of Melbourne,” he said.

Last week, it emerged that the Liberals will endorse a candidate to run for lord mayor for the first time in the party’s history.

The party is yet to announce its mayoral candidates, but Ms Campbell was rumoured to have been sounded out for the ticket.