Arabic version: سكان ستاويل يطالبون بكاميرات المراقبة في حديقة التزلج المحلية

The Northern Grampians Shire Council has rejected community requests for CCTV installation at the Stawell skate park, a site identified as a crime hotspot by local police. This decision comes despite ongoing concerns from parents and the police regarding safety in the area. According to ABC News, residents are now collecting data to present to the council to support their demand for security cameras.

NGSC Mayor Karen Hyslop and director of infrastructure Jeevan Pinto cited privacy concerns and costs associated with camera installation and maintenance as reasons for the council’s refusal. The council previously declined similar requests for CCTV at another skate park in St Arnaud, stating that it did not believe it was responsible for maintaining public safety. Hyslop mentioned that the council currently only uses CCTV to protect its own staff and facilities, not public areas like the skate park.

Stawell mother Jessica Lees criticized the council’s position, highlighting the irony of having CCTV for council properties but not for community spaces frequented by children and teenagers. She is leading a campaign to gather public support for the installation of cameras at the skate park and other key locations. So far, more than 300 people have participated in an online survey backing the proposal.

Local police, including Senior Sergeant Terry Hill, expressed support for the installation of CCTV in public spaces to help monitor and reduce crime. Hill emphasized that while the responsibility for public safety lies with the council, police would benefit greatly from access to CCTV footage in crime-prone areas like the skate park. Despite these calls, the council remains firm in its stance, stating that any future consideration of CCTV would require a strong evidence-based business case and sustainable funding.