IT'S been one year since the death of Kathryn Daley led to residents questioning the level of security in the Gladstone City Business District.
It is alleged Ms Daley was killed in the early hours of February 17 after attempting to walk home from the now defunct Players nightclub.
However, Gladstone Regional Council had some good news yesterday - closed circuit television cameras are up and running and police are already using the footage to help track down alleged criminals.
Council's Manager of IT communications and projects Greg Clarke said yesterday the 10 cameras installed could capture clear footage up to 300 metres away.
It is also hoped the camera mounted across from Bo Jangles nightclub will stream footage into taxi company call centres so vehicles can be despatched in a timelier manner.
Mr Clarke said giving taxi companies access to the cameras was one of the final steps of the plan.
“What we're trying to do is give the taxi company access to the cameras, so they can actually view them,” he said
“That would be in the Gladstone office and their call centre.
“It's all about response by the taxi company, so that they can ensure they can meet need.
“In theory, the taxi company can cater for the needs of people before they make a phone call. That would be a little bit of utopia I guess, but that's what we're aiming at.”
He said he believed police had been able to lay charges against a person allegedly caught on CCTV speeding up to 90km/h in Goondoon Street last week.
There had been several other requests from police for CCTV footage, Mr Clarke said.
“Whether they have been used in court or not, we do not know,” he said.
He said council was in the process of entering into a memorandum of understanding with Gladstone Police regarding the system.
“Effectively, it just states that we will maintain the system, they will request footage and we will provide it,” Mr Clarke said.
Business owners in the CBD were extremely happy with the CCTV set-up, he said.
There are six fixed cameras located at Library Square, two moveable ones opposite Bo Jangles and two more moveable devices near the Queens Hotel.
Funding for the secure cab ranks came from the State Government.
Meanwhile, Gladstone Police have also stuck to their vow to improve security for night-time revellers in the wake of Ms Daley's death.
The 'Keeping Night Life Safe' initiative is still going strong, with phase one including measures to help prevent drink spiking.
Phase two will address assaults and violent offences in the Gladstone CBD, and will include “exclusion notice” forms, which will ban disorderly people from entering all licensed premises for a period ranging from one to 12 months.
All year 10 to 12 children at school will be targeted during phase three, which will be aimed at educating teenagers on drugs and their effects.
Over the past week, The Observer has received a number of emailed tributes to Ms Daley.
Unfortunately, due to legal constraints they cannot all be printed in full.
But it is evident the QAL apprentice electrician was loved by many, and will live on in the thoughts of the Gladstone community.
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