Aurukun Shire Council has confirmed it has held positive talks with Federal and State Governments to finalise funding for a $1.3million state-of-the-art CCTV system in the remote Cape York community, and is hopeful of a successful outcome in the very near future.
Aurukun Shire Council announced late last year it was seeking tenders for the design and installation of a complete CCTV system, including CCTV cameras, video recorder, camera poles and associated cabling hardware and software, for the township.
Aurukun Shire Council Mayor Dereck Walpo said the tender process identified extra funds required to complete the project.
“Queensland Police Service, the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (DATSIP) and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) have all been supportive of the installation of CCTV in Aurukun through discussions,” said Mayor Walpo.
“This has included two separate visits to Palm Island to inspect their elaborate CCTV system, and to discuss CCTV with Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council and Queensland Police Service.
“It is worth noting that Palm Island has had a significant decrease in crime since their installation of CCTV.
“Due to ongoing community unrest and associated anti-social behaviour in Aurukun, all stakeholders have pledged to make it a priority project.
“Although the CCTV system will not stop crime and anti-social behaviour, it should substantially reduce the current activity which is having a negative effect on our community.”
Aurukun Shire Council will contribute $100,000 to the project, with the remaining funds to be possibly sourced through further grant applications to the Federal or State Governments.
The Council has also approached Federal and State Governments to assist with the ongoing annual operational costs of the proposed CCTV system.
“We’re confident that all parties can continue working closely together to get this important project under way in Aurukun in 2016,” added Mayor Walpo.