Gold Coast City Council has announced it will invest more than $20 million across a range of safety projects, following the delivery of its 2022-23 Annual Budget this week.
The budget will see the city’s CCTV fleet grow to 726 devices with an additional 56 mobile CCTV units to be purchased ($1.5 million).
Council says the units will deploy the latest technology including low-light capability. The 2022-23 budget will also fund an extension of the rapid deployment CCTV trailer trial ($39,900), dedicated to address hooning and supporting police operations.
“In 2011, our city had around 110 CCTV cameras. Today’s modern fleet has helped make us one of the safest cities in the world,’’ said Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate.
“I was delighted to hear QPS Superintendent Rhys Wildman comment at a recent Mayoral Safer Suburbs Forum where he confirmed that crime in our city is on the decline across key reporting areas. These cameras deter crime and capture suspicious activity, often before an offence has even occurred so I welcome the 2022-23 investment.’’
The 2022-23 budget is investing:
- $750,000 for rapid graffiti removal and graffiti prevention projects including Artbox urban art installations on traffic signal boxes as well as partnerships with youth justice for graffiti removal;
- Spending an additional $500,000 on Animal Management Officers to conduct additional patrols outside of normal business hours. This will create 152 additional patrol hours per week;
- $7.25 million on a major lighting and safety project to increase lighting throughout the Surfers Paradise Precinct. Key focus areas include Orchid Avenue and Cavill Mall. Works to include new seating, walls, bollards and light poles as well as heavy vehicle mitigation measures;
- maintain streetscapes in urban precincts including street furniture, gardens, trees, footpaths and lighting to ensure these areas remain functional, safe and attractive ($5.6 million);
- Continue with slope remediation works at Lions Park ($3.2 milion).
“Safety starts at home and we will continue our safety courses for seniors and other residents who may feel vulnerable,’’ said Mayor Tate.
“Our libraries are the perfect environment for seniors to learn skills to help them stay safe on-line, given the increase in cyber crime over the internet. The courses are free for seniors.’’
The City will also continue to fund its free seniors and veterans bus travel – at a cost of $1.135 million. Today, more than 40,000 seniors and veterans are registered.
“It is safer for seniors to travel on the free bus service and it keeps them socially connected which is great for their health and well-being,’’ Mayor Tate said.
