South Burnett council to install more CCTV to catch vandals

CCTV cameras worth thousands of dollars will be installed in parks across the South Burnett in an effort to stem a growing and ‘devastating’ vandalism problem.

The South Burnett Regional Council will spend more than $50,000 installing CCTV cameras at Pioneer Park in Nanango, Les Muller Park in Blackbutt, and QEII Park in Murgon to tackle a growing problem with vandalism.

The South Burnett Regional Council will spend more than $5,000 installing CCTV cameras at Pioneer Park in Nanango, Les Muller Park in Blackbutt, and QEII Park in Murgon to tackle a growing problem with vandalism.

At the Infrastructure, Environment and Compliance Standing Committee meeting, councillors discussed the importance of maintaining safe public spaces for people in the community.

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Councillor Kirstie Schumacher said she fully supported the project.

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“I think it’s terrible. Some of the photos staff have taken and shown me is devastating in terms of how much damage gets done,” Mrs Schumacher said.

“So much effort and community pride goes into these parks before a few bored young people make a terrible mess.

“The other day in Blackbutt a disabled toilet was set on fire, sinks were ripped from the walls with graffiti inside and out and litter everywhere.

“The damage I’ve seen is mind boggling,” she said.

Manager Leanne Petersen said the issue had worsened in recent months.

“We have seen some good outcomes from the CCTV already installed at the Kingaroy Memorial Park,” Mrs Petersen said.

Manager Leanne Petersen said the South Burnett Council had already had some good outcomes from the CCTV installed at the Kingaroy Memorial Park.

“It is proven to deter people from vandalising those community assets.

“CCTV for the Pioneer Park Nanango, Les Muller Park Blackbutt, QEII Park Murgon could be funded by the Building Restricted Cash for building asset condition improvements,” she said.

Jane Erkens said the CCTV cameras in Nanango were monitored by police, which had proven effective.

“Often they can watch incidents as they happen,” Mrs Erkens said.

CEO Mark Pitt said those caught on CCTV would be prosecuted.

The motion was carried unanimously.

Further allocation of operating budget per annum for ongoing maintenance and servicing costs of all CCTV cameras will be discussed at the 2023/24 Operational budget.

Originally published as South Burnett council to install more CCTV to catch vandals