Dubbo City Council’s Finance and Policy meeting has agreed to provide new software to make the

management of the cameras

more “user- friendly” to police officers.

A successful amendment from Councillor Ben Shields recommended council put away money every year so the cameras could be “totally upgraded” across a four-year period.

Council’s Community Services director David Dwyer said a meeting between various council staff and Dubbo police had led to four main priorities for the upgrade of the cameras.

The upgrade also includes additional cameras to be installed, and a new wireless system to improve the reliability of the signal between the cameras and the receiving antenna on top of Oliver House.

“The Dubbo police agreed to provide council with a list of up to 10 sites for the location of additional cameras with a top five priority sites,” Mr Dwyer said.

“Police also agreed to review the existing cameras to advise council whether any existing cameras should be relocated.”

Cr Shields said the amendment meant staff had to find money to put away every year so the cameras could receive proper upgrades every four years, without involving the “politics” every year.

He also backed council’s

relationship with police in deciding how the cameras should be used properly.

“Council is in consultation with police now about where the security cameras should go,” he said.

“We’ve got police who are very good at what they do.

“It shouldn’t be council deciding where the cameras should go.”

Mr Dwyer said there was $160,234 held for the upgrade and maintenance of the cameras.

“At least $140,000 could be allocated to the future upgrade program which leaves a reasonable amount for future maintenance, repair and equipment replacement as the need arises,” he said.

The committee’s decision will go to council’s full meeting on Monday night for a final decision.