The Victorian Government plans to spend more than $2.4 million on 25 new closed circuit televisions (CCTV) cameras to be installed at critical locations to help improve traffic monitoring and management of Melbourne’s road network.

Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas says the new cameras are in addition to the 12 CCTV cameras that have been installed around Melbourne’s metropolitan tram network to provide enhanced traffic monitoring on key tram routes.

"The Brumby Government is taking action now to keep Melbourne moving and to unclog and improve Victoria’s road network," Pallas claims.

"These new CCTV cameras will enable a rapid, more effective response to managing problems on our roads. They will boost the existing traffic monitoring network linked to VicRoads’ Traffic Management Centre, providing real-time traffic flow information to operational staff."

Pallas claims the cameras will be used exclusively for monitoring traffic flows on key arterial routes and not for enforcement purposes.

"The CCTV cameras will enhance VicRoads’ ability to manage congestion for both general traffic and public transport. To ensure privacy, cameras will be directed on to roads only with no resident activity or home being captured in the CCTV network," he says.

"The CCTV cameras will be operational by mid-2009."

Cameras will be installed at intersections in suburbs including Melbourne, Kew, Greensborough East Melbourne, Docklands, Fitzroy, Preston, Eaglemont, Bundoora, Reservoir, Alphington, Doncaster, Preston, Hawthorn, Mulgrave, Bentleigh East, Caulfield North, Camberwell, Burwood, Mont Albert, Burwood East, Blackburn, Prahran and Malvern East.