The city centre will be an even safer place to visit and shop from today, Wednesday, 17 December, when 40 new CCTV cameras are switched on in the city centre.

All 80 cameras record activity 24 hours a day, with footage monitored through a system based at the city centre and Crown St Mall management offices, and accessible 24 hours a day at Wollongong Police station.

The CCTV cameras have been installed as part of the joint Wollongong City Council and Wollongong City Centre Ltd, City Centre CCTV Street Camera Program, which was awarded a $485,000 Australian Government Grant, under the National Community Crime Prevention Program.

The CCTV Street Camera Program commenced in January 2007 with 40 cameras installed in Crown St Mall and it has now been expanded over the wider city centre with an additional 40 cameras.

This was the largest Government grant of its type ever awarded in Australia under the program, and was successful because of its unique partnership approach. Partners in the program include Wollongong Council, NSW Police, RTA and a continued and long term commitment from Wollongong City Centre Ltd to provide monitoring and security patrols in Crown St Mall and the wider city centre.

Council’s General Manager, David Farmer said he was very pleased that the additional CCTV cameras are now operational.

“As the one of the largest regional cities in Australia, it is appropriate major public areas in the city centre are covered through the installation of a CCTV network. The CCTV assists with the reduction of anti-social behaviour, criminal activity and Police investigations,” Mr Farmer said.

Mr Farmer also praised the efforts of all parties in working together to deliver the first full IP CCTV street system in Australia. “Wollongong Council is the benchmark for IP street systems in Australia.”

“These latest CCTV cameras will help the community, shoppers and businesses feel more secure, which is vital as we continue to make our city centre safe, clean and attractive to the community.”

The Council owned system is operated by Wollongong City Centre Ltd and today Paul Fanning, Wollongong City Centre General Manager said, “I first saw a CCTV system in Perth, and from then on I was convinced Wollongong would benefit from such a system”.

“To date, it has been very successful with nearly 900 arrests since January 2007 when the system commenced. It is an amazing effort from our Special Constables who work closely with the NSW Police,” Mr Fanning added.

NSW Police Local Area Commander, Supt Wayne Dedden praised the CCTV system and the advantage Wollongong Police now has in its fight to reduce crime in the city. “It is an extraordinary system that produces high quality images and footage,” he said.

“We now have PTZ (pan tilt zoom) camera coverage in front of the busiest pubs in the City Centre along with major public spaces. My advice to the community is this - do the wrong thing and there is a relatively high chance you will be caught”, Supt Dedden advises.

Issued by the Wollongong City Council Communications and Strategy Division
Phone (02) 4227 7100 / (02) 4227 7732 • Mob 0400 466 697 / 0419 251 607