Dubbo Regional Council has undertaken a review of its safety camera network in Dubbo and Wellington. The review recommended expanding the number of cameras, while also changing the way the footage is accessed to allow Dubbo Police Station to view the footage in real time at any time of the day.

It was also recommended council upgrade some of their existing cameras to improve coverage of the surveillance areas.

To expand and upgrade the security camera network is expected to cost between $500,000 and $800,000. Council has sought grant funding to cover the cost.

At the moment there are 29 cameras in Dubbo and 42 in Wellington.

Councillor Dayne Gumley said the cameras played an important role.

“CCTV is very important in terms of both crime prevention and in terms of police being able to conduct their investigations and put the best evidence before our court system,” Cr Gumley said.

“The review that is being undertaken moves us forward to ensuring we do have the best systems to keep our community safe and to ensure when incidents do arise the police can respond and the courts can respond appropriately.”

Further analysis of the camera network will be undertaken with NSW Police and security infrastructure business Simtec to determine the priority areas for the security upgrade and expansion.

However, councillor Vicki Etheridge said she wanted to see cameras not just placed in crime hot spots, but also as a deterrent.

“I find it disappointing police have to declare an area of Dubbo is unsafe before we can use the CCTV cameras. In my talks with the Tamworth Street shopping people and Victoria Street they would desperately like to have some security cameras placed in their shopping precincts,” she said.