CBD cameras now in Maitland Street

Long-sought closed circuit television security cameras have been installed in Maitland Street.

The CCTV cameras will give coverage of the length of Maitland Street from Bowen to Lloyd Streets.

Imagery will be relayed to a server at the council chambers. It won’t be monitored or viewed by council personnel but if police seek specific footage from a particular date and times they will apply to council to obtain it.

The CCTV cameras are part of a major makeover of the CBD, a work in progress which will see several elements introduced to improve the amenity and security of the business area.

The council is undertaking a sequential program of works and will be liaising with the business and wider community as the program is rolled out, council’s general manager Stewart Todd said.

Final adjustments being made to the CCTV before it becomes fully operational.

“Council had laid conduits under the road when the centre median was installed in preparation for this project with the fibre cable connections and additional infrastructure installed recently to host the CCTV cameras.

“Council was successful in obtaining $105,505 in funding from the NSW Government Community Safety Fund with Council co-contributing over $100,000 to the project.

“The cameras have been installed as a direct result of community feedback and from input from the Crime Prevention Advisory Committee in accordance with actions contained in the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan.”

The high definition CCTV cameras have been erected within the shopping precinct along Maitland Street from Bowen to Lloyd Street.

The cameras will operate 24 hours a day and will be used in addressing crime, unusual behaviour or assisting investigations by police, council said.

The cameras will provide clear, high definition images of Maitland street activity.

Mayor Cathy Redding said she was pleased to see the CCTV cameras up and running.

“These state of the art cameras will play an important role in eliminating and preventing crime as well as provide an additional element of safety to businesses and the public” the mayor said.

“The cameras will provide a safer environment for the community who work, live and visit the Narrabri CBD.”

The need for the cameras was identified by the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan and have long been sought by Narrabri Chamber of Commerce.

A pre-requisite for the CCTV had been the installation of adequate street lighting in the CBD.