Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has announced Safer Streets funding for Goulburn will see the purchase of eight new CCTV cameras, as well as better lighting and signage in the city’s CBD.

“I am pleased the Goulburn Mulwaree Council will receive $35,000 in funding under our Safer Streets programme. Council has recently signed a funding agreement with the Government and I understand work to install the cameras will start middle of next year,” Mr Taylor said.

Mayor Geoff Kettle said the news was very welcome: “Council has been working in conjunction with the Hume Local Area Command and Mr Taylor’s office for many months on this project. The funding will go a long way to making the streets around Goulburn’s CBD safer at night.”

Council’s Manager Land & Property Services Ken Wheeldon said the installation of the cameras would occur in consultation with police. “Eight digital CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras will be purchased, including four vandal resistant and four rugged infra-red tube cameras. There will be enhanced street lighting and appropriate signage near licensed premises in the CBD, around Flamingos Nightclub and between the Hibernian and Astor Hotels. These areas have been identified as high priority by police and the objective of the exercise is to improve community safety by reducing crime levels.” Mr Wheeldon said council would be conducting community consultation and data collection prior to and after the installation of the cameras.

Local Area Police Commander Superintendent Zoran Dzevlan said he fully supported the initiative. “I have worked in a number of commands which have CCTV cameras and they have proven successful in reducing crime in every instance.”

Mr Taylor said Goulburn Mulwaree was one of four local government areas in Hume to receive funding under the Safer Streets programme.

Caption: From left, Local Area Commander Superintendent Zoran Dzevlan, Goulburn Mulwaree Council Manager Land & Property Services Ken Wheeldon, Member for Hume Angus Taylor, Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Geoff Kettle in the Ellesmere/Goldsmith Street area of Goulburn where a number of cameras will be installed.