FEDERAL government funding could cover the $248,500 cost of introducing security cameras into Lavington, but Albury councillors are being urged to use ratepayers' money for the work.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The council got $2.017 million via the Commonwealth local roads and community infrastructure program in this month's budget.
Council officer Diane Small has told councillors in a report for Monday night's council meeting that the Lavington CCTV installation is expected to "align with the program (sic) eligibility criteria".
However, it is recommended the council fund the entirety of the first stage which involves placing cameras along the Mate Street shopping strip and along Wagga Road from the Five Ways to Kaylock Road.
Ms Small advises against waiting for federal funding on the basis it would stall the start of the rollout.
She stated such a move meant "project commencement could be delayed by several months".
IN OTHER NEWS:
Nevertheless, Ms Small noted the second and third stages, each estimated to cost $215,000 and covering other parts of Lavington, could still be paid for by the federal government.
Canberra's program can be used to either partly fund or fully bankroll council projects.
If the councillors support the recommendation for council funding, it is expected work on stage one will begin next month and the cameras will be operational by September.
The 46-week period covers three weeks in December-January where holiday leave would result in a break.
The installation is forecast to run from May to August, with a run of testing before the cameras are officially handed over to the council.
That 52-camera network, funded with $450,000 in federal money, was switched on in December 2017.
She said police had not provided a confidential report to councillors outlining the impact of the network in addressing crime.
The report to Monday night's meeting notes Murray River police district chiefs had been consulted about the Lavington addition.
They were seen as "fully" supporting and endorsing it based on the "success" of the CBD system with "detection and identification".
Public feedback in Lavington last year found more than 60 per cent were concerned about being a victim of crime and the same number thought CCTV in public places would be an effective crime preventative tool.
