New CCTV locations announced
Atotal of 13 new CCTV cameras will be installed across the Western Bay this summer, thanks to Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s inaugural CCTV fund.
The first year of the fund was extremely popular. Council received over 70 applications from across the Western Bay of Plenty, outstripping the CCTV fund capped at $50,000. However, the merit of the applications led Council to supplement the fund with an operational budget to ensure the much-needed security systems could be installed.
Council’s Strategic Property Manager, Blaise Williams says, “In the first year of the fund we weren’t sure what level of interest to expect, but the community has sent a clear message that this is an issue close to their hearts.”
Applications showed a strong desire from rural communities to have CCTV cameras on local ‘hot spots’ of crime and antisocial behaviour.
“If these cameras can help to deter unwanted behaviour, protect Council property and infrastructure and make our communities feel a little safer and more secure, then we’ve accomplished our goals,” says Blaise.
The new cameras will be installed at the following locations: Waihī Beach at the Athenree Road/State Highway 2 intersection, Wilson Road/Waihī Beach Road, and Island View, Anzac Bay. In Katikati, they will be placed at the Tetley
Road and State Highway 2 intersection, Tuapiro Point Reserve, and Tuapiro Road/State Highway 2. Two will be located in Ōmokoroa, at the State Highway 2 and Ōmokoroa Road intersection and the Skatepark. In Pahoia at Pahoia Point Domain; Te Puna, Minden Lookout (to be confirmed); Te Puke, Welcome Bay Roundabout; Pukehina, Midway Park.
“Our priority now is to get the cameras installed,” says Blaise.
All going according to plan, cameras at Waihī Beach (Wilson Road/Waihī Beach Road, and State Highway 2/Athenree Road), Ōmokoroa (State Highway 2/Ōmokoroa Road) will be installed prior to Christmas. The remainder will follow in late January/February 2022.
The CCTV fund is an outcome of Council’s most recent Long Term Plan 20212031. The community gave Council their support to create three years of funding, with an annual budget of $50,000 per year. Community Boards have also strongly supported this initiative.
Applications were considered by a panel featuring Councillors Allan Sole, Margaret Murray-Benge and Monique Gray, Council’s Strategic Property Manager Blaise Williams and an NZ Police representative. Applications to monitor private property/ land were not eligible.
More information on the fund can be found online at westernbay.govt.nz/cctv