![AN URGENT review of the legal use of close circuit television [CCTV] cameras by local government was the right thing to do, Dubbo City Council deputy mayor and advocate of CCTV, Cr Ben Shields has said.](/images/transform/v1/resize/frm/storypad-Swx5VUVYf8uESDUD3UMED7/f3b5ba66-a9e8-4393-aad0-1c4ffaebab0f.JPG/w576_h298_fmax.webp "AN URGENT review of the legal use of close circuit television [CCTV] cameras by local government was the right thing to do, Dubbo City Council deputy mayor and advocate of CCTV, Cr Ben Shields has said.")
AN URGENT review of the legal use of close circuit television [CCTV] cameras by local government was the right thing to do, Dubbo City Council deputy mayor and advocate of CCTV, Cr Ben Shields has said.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The review has been ordered by the NSW Premier, Barry O’Farrell after the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal ruled in favour of a member of the public raising doubts about the legality of CCTV installed by local councils.
CCTV in the Shoalhaven Council area has been switched off after the ADT ruled the cameras breached privacy laws.
However yesterday the Premier announced the government would introduce exemptions to ensure local councils can continue to use CCTV cameras to prevent crime.
Cr Shields said the decision by the tribunal left Dubbo City Council in limbo.
“Because we ourselves have an extensive camera network,” Cr Shields said.
“As the councillor who originally pushed the idea of security cameras, and moved the motion through council back in 2000, it deeply concerns me that we may have to look at shutting them down like what was done on the South Coast.”
“Cameras today not only deter petty crime, but are also the ultimate tool that law enforcement uses when the absolute worst happens - a terrorist attack.
“I’m proud of Dubbo’s extensive network. So proud that recently I was even discussing with residents further expansion of our network to Apollo Estate and the O’Donnell Street areas of Dubbo.
“If there is a legal issue with the cameras I would urge Parliament to act quickly to fix the hole and allow councils to start using their camera networks again.
Orana Local Area Crime manager, Detective Inspector Rod Blackman said he was an unashamed advocate of CCTV and said its presence in Dubbo was a definite aid to policing and security.
Detective Inspector Blackman, agreed cost was often a prohibitive factor, but the use of microwave technology and movable cameras added to the efficiency of their use.
The NSW government had no intention of allowing this tribunal decision to undermine police efforts to reduce crime on our streets, Premier O’Farrell said.
“CCTV is a vital tool in the fight against crime and we are determined to ensure it remains so,” he said.
“The NSW government will do what is needed to ensure CCTV remains a weapon for police, local councils and other law enforcement authorities.”
