Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has visited one of the first premises in the Cootamundra central business district preparing to install CCTV (closed circuit television).

Mr Taylor said the CCTV programme, coordinated by the Cootamundra Shire Council in conjunction with local small business owners, is the result of $37,825 in Federal funding under the Australian Government’s Safer Streets programme.

“It’s not often that you will catch me at a pub at 9.30 in the morning, but it was great to meet Brad Shields of the Central Hotel recently, who has been working with Cootamundra Shire Council to prepare for the installation of CCTV outside his premises on Parker Street.

“I understand CCTV cameras to be installed outside the Central Hotel, which will monitor a considerable stretch of Parker Street, are the first of 27 cameras to be rolled out across the Cootamundra CBD.

“These CCTV cameras will assist small business owners, council and local law enforcement officers in reducing anti-social behaviour and vandalism,” he said.

Mr Taylor said the Australian Government’s Safer Streets programme was a $50 million commitment toward the installation of CCTV and safety lighting in central business districts across Australia.

Cootamundra Shire Council is one of four Safer Streets projects funded in the Hume electorate.

Caption: Angus Taylor outside the Central Hotel on Cootamundra’s Parker Street with Greg Ewings Manager Facilities and Services Cootamundra Shire Council, Brad Shields Owner Central Hotel Cootamundra and Jim Slattery Mayor Cootamundra Shire Council.