Councillors this week unanimously voted to authorise chief executive Charlie Bird to approve any CCTV camera at council owned or managed sites.

It comes after cameras have been installed at the the Bright Sports Centre and council office and depot in Bright in recent years, plus local laws officers were given authority to use body-worn cameras on duty.

The new policy will allow surveillance on Crown land as well.

“The use of CCTV surveillance on council owned, operated or managed sites is to ensure the safety of council employees, councillors and members of the public, protect property from theft and damage, discourage unlawful activity and improve the investigation of incidents,” the council report stated.

Cr Daryl Pearce supported the move.

“It’s pretty straightforward and to put it squarely, we have three CCTV cameras out there at the moment,” he said at the meeting.

“It’s not a huge deal and we’re now giving the CEO the right to make a decision if there was more to be placed somewhere.”

There were no immediate locations proposed to receive security cameras and no money had been allocated in the council’s budget.

Any future locations will have to be listed on the council’s CCTV location register.

The policy also requires the council to place signage near the cameras so that anyone visiting the site is aware they could be under surveillance.