Monash Council will install closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras for Oakleigh Police to monitor the Oakleigh Activity Centre in real time after a Council survey found most community members supported the idea.
JWS Research was commissioned to undertake the survey and conducted 500 phone surveys and a Shape Monash web page enabled online feedback and surveys. The process drew 486 responses from residents and nonresidents.
The survey found 78 percent of phone respondents supported the proposal, while almost seven in 10 online respondents supported. Most respondents were also not concerned about invasion of privacy or feeling uncomfortable with the presence of CCTV, with only three in 10 concerned that real-time CCTV monitoring in public areas would invade their privacy.
Monash Mayor Cr Brian Little said Council will ensure individual privacy was maintained in managing CCTV systems.
Cr Little said Council’s current CCTV Policy did not factor in real-time monitoring, so it would be reviewed and amended to comply with Victorian regulations for this project.
“We need to ensure that the policy and this project are consistent with human rights, Freedom of Information, privacy, data protection, and surveillance laws,” Cr Little said.
Cr Little said as part of the installation process, officers would consult relevant community members, Victoria Police, traders and businesses near the proposed cameras.
“Council will also conduct more detailed work on the proposed sites,” he said.
“So far they include the Council-owned Chester Street and Hanover Street carparks.”
The State Government offered Council $50,000 towards the purchase and installation of CCTV cameras in the Oakleigh Activity Centre following a number of reported incidents in and around it. They included theft, increasing anti-social behaviour, and the fatal stabbing of a young man in 2020.
Monash Council voted to accept the offer and contribute $2500-$5000 a year for ongoing maintenance at its 31 August meeting.
