The council delays that could cost lives

The security measures Sunshine Coast Council appears reluctant to install despite the promise of $140,000 in federal funding

SUNSHINE Coast Council has stalled on the installation of CCTV cameras in Caloundra despite federal funding of $140,000 announced more than eight months ago. Picture: Warren Lynam

SUNSHINE Coast Council delays in the installation of CCTV cameras in the Caloundra CBD put peoples' lives at risk, according to a state MP who has been part of a decade-long campaign to introduce them.

Caloundra MP Mark McArdle said the devastation could be long and deep if it failed to embrace modern technology.

In May, 2017, Mr McArdle, Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace, Deputy Mayor Tim Dwyer and Caloundra Chamber of Commerce president Michael Shadforth gathered in Felicity Park, where an elderly man had been bashed and required facial surgery, to celebrate $140,000 in Commonwealth funding for the installation of 23 CCTV cameras.

It was the culmination of a more than decade-long campaign for CCTV following the bashing death of lifesaver Josh Mills at a taxi rank in the CBD.

IN MAY last year Sunshine Coast Council Deputy Mayor Tim Dwyer, Federal Fisher MP Andrew Wallace, State Member for Caloundra Mark McArdle and Michael Shadforth from the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce appeared in step on plans to introduce CCTV cameras to the Caloundra CBD. The council is now reluctant to pay for maintenance of the equipment the federal government has promised to fund. Picture: Warren Lynam

The chamber of commerce had applied for the grant with the council's support, Cr Dwyer saying at the time the plan was to roll out the cameras in the CBD, Felicity Park and possibly at Happy Valley and Bulcock Beach.

Eight months on and the council is now saying the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce application to install the units was being assessed as the federal funding did not cover ongoing maintenance, replacement and operational costs.

"Because of the significant costs, it is imperative all CCTVs are deemed absolutely necessary and council calls on other levels of government to fund the ongoing maintenance and replacement costs," a council spokesperson said.

"The intention is to manage CCTV carefully to achieve the best outcomes for the Sunshine Coast community."

Mr McArdle said the council could not exempt itself from the argument that all levels of government should be involved.

He said he had received no request from the council to seek funding for maintenance which he would have done if asked.

"Despite its verbiage, there are many councils which have put CCTV into their CBDs and have achieved very good success in crime reduction and apprehension," Mr McArdle said.

The council spokesperson said community safety and wellbeing was Sunshine Coast Council's highest priority.

"It is important to note CCTV is just one of a suite of mechanisms used to improve community safety and may not at times be an appropriate response," she said.

"Other measures include improved design, lighting, activation of public spaces and additional security measures. The evaluation of the appropriateness of CCTV and the establishment and management of CCTV cameras and their footage are guided by council's 'Public Space Closed Circuit Television Policy'."

Mr Wallace said while the federal government was prepared to fund the initial capital cost, the council and the chamber of commerce should step up to meet the maintenance bill.

"A local government area the size of the Sunshine Coast should be having input into CCTV throughout the region," he said.

Caloundra Residents Association president Peter Bryant said police were strongly supportive of CCTV.

"Everywhere they are installed they have a positive impact in reducing crime," he said. "It's the fear of being caught."

Originally published as The council delays that could cost lives