SAFETY in the Millicent Parklands precinct will be boosted as a result of a $37,000 Federal Government contribution for a suite of new security cameras.
The new high-definition cameras will be installed throughout the greater Domain area to improve community safety and confidence at the town’s popular recreational site.
Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi welcomed the funding, saying the 18 cameras would help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.
Mr Gandolfi said the cameras would be strategically placed for blanket coverage of the park to provide benefits to both the safety of users and identifying people linked to criminal activities.
“In recent years, we have had some senseless crimes by a minority of idiots,” he said.
“We have had substantial graffiti that was done in the skate park and on one occasion we had sump oil poured over the skate park.
“There has also been vandalism of playground equipment in the Domain area.
“The security cameras will provide a deterrent for those who may be looking to vandalise or destroy any public property.”
According to Mr Gandolfi, the Wi-Fi enabled cameras will automatically send all footage to a central server which can be accessed by council officials and police.
Millicent Police Acting Sergeant Nick Patterson said the cameras would aid police in their investigative capacity.
“It would help for instance with investigations such as the car that recently went into the skate park,” he said.
“There have been instances of graffiti over the years, so cameras and additional signage would work as a good visual deterence for anti-social behaviour, particularly after dark.”
The new system will complement council’s proposed amenity improvements under the ambitious $2.1m master plan including additional lighting, landscaping and design works to increase surveillance and improve attractiveness of the area.
“One of the principles of safer communities is the visibility of public places from roads and adjoining properties,” Mr Gandolfi said.
“Council cleaned up essentially what was scrub along Ridge Terrace so there is clear visibility throughout this area.
“Opening up the section of parkland so it was more visible in the area south of the playground provides a safer location.”
Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the funding, allocated under round two of the Federal Government’s $40m safer communities fund, aimed to ensure the safety of local residents.
“I am pleased to be funding this project that will not only create a safer local community, but will also act as a deterrent and thereby protect valuable community assets from vandalism.”
The safer communities fund is the Turnbull Government’s crime prevention program that provides grants of up to $1m to community organisations and local governments for local crime prevention and security infrastructure activities.
Mr Pasin said the third round of the program was announced in the federal budget and will open for applications later this year.
