Nationals candidate for Murray Plains Brett Hosking and C4EM chief executive Jayden Howe.
It’s taken the best part of half a decade, but Echuca’s CCTV network appears set to become a reality.
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C4EM announced a revised plan for the first stage of the long-running project, changing tack because advances in surveillance technology allowed the group to “optimise budget outcomes while ensuring long-term sustainability”.
And last week the project got a further boost with Nationals candidate for Murray Plains Brett Hosking pledging $140,000 towards its cost if The Nationals win government.
Mr Hosking met with C4EM chief executive Jayden Howe and the board to make the commitment.
C4EM chief executive Jayden Howe, (right), showing Nationals candidate for Murray Plains Brett Hosking, plans for the installation of CCTV units in Echuca.
“This is something C4EM and Echuca-Moama’s commercial precincts have been fighting for across many years,” Mr Hosking said.
“So it is a funding request I have also fought hard to gain support for as part of my campaigning and it has been given the stamp of approval,” he said.
“Which is why I was excited to meet with C4EM and let them know of the money, which might help them go further than planned.”
Mr Howe said while C4EM’s own campaign to get the cameras has dragged on, there has been a very positive silver lining in that cloud.
He said initially the strategy was looking at 54 cameras, but the rapid advance of technology means it will be able to effectively cover the same areas with as few as 15 units.
“Advancements in technology have dramatically reduced the quantity in cameras we need for coverage,” Mr Howe said.
Nationals candidate for Murray Plains Brett Hosking tells the C4EM board the Nationals will deliver $140,000 towards the project if elected.
“These cameras, combined with pre-existing infrastructure, will let us form a grid which will help residents feel more secure and give us a more complete picture of any incidents.”
The CCTV will be installed across three stages, gradually expanding its coverage across the port precinct and areas between Annesley and High Sts.
Mr Howe said with C4EM already securing the necessary funding for stage one, and this money promised by The Nationals as a safety net, the committee was moving forward with its Echuca Moama safe towns project.
“We are also grateful for the support from Moama Bowling Club, Echuca Workers and Echuca KFC to make this vital project possible,” he said.
“Through consultation with community, businesses, data analysis and crime statistics from Victoria Police, this project will have a comprehensive CCTV surveillance system installed in areas subject to high incidents of crimes including property damage, anti-social behaviour and where there are poor perceptions of safety.
“The system monitors are to be installed at the Echuca Police Station and cameras will be positioned in strategic locations and will have the ability to be controlled and moved remotely allowing for greater flexibility.”
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