More CCTV cameras in Sunbury are now guaranteed to go live following a bipartisan election funding pledge.
Announced on April 15, the Liberal party matched Labor’s pledge of $1.5 million for the installation of CCTV cameras across locations in Sunbury, Melton, and Bacchus Marsh.
Hawke Liberal candidate Simmone Cottom said that this funding will help ensure people in these areas “feel safe as they go about their daily lives.”
“This funding is a direct response to the concerns raised by our community. I’ve heard first-hand from local businesses, sporting groups and the local community that more CCTV is needed in these areas to help deter and fight crime,” Ms Cottom said.
“I’ll always listen and fight for our community. These projects will help make our streets, parks and other shared community spaces safer,” she said.
The Liberal’s funding would be delivered under a proposed Safer Communities Fund, which opposition home affairs and cyber security spokesperson James Paterson said “will help protect local communities by ensuring they have appropriate security infrastructure in place such as CCTV cameras, alarm systems and security lighting”.
Sunbury Business Association president Michael Osborne said the association, in general, welcomes this bipartisan pledge.
“No matter the party, one and a half million – that’s great … Hawke’s a big area … so one and half might not go that far,” Mr Osborne said.
“We’d be really interested to see how much of that $1.5 million is earmarked for that Sunbury area,” he said.
Mr Osborne said that more CCTV in the area is “well-needed,” as he has heard anecdotal evidence from Sunbury businesses and the Sunbury community that there has been increased criminal activity.
