CLOSED-circuit cameras will be installed at ferry terminal car parks at Weinam Creek and on the four southern bay islands.
The cameras are part of a $20,000 joint initiative between the Bay Islands Chamber of Commerce and the federal government.
SMBI Chamber president Col McInnes said the cameras were necessary to protect cars and commuters.
He said the chamber would stump up about $10,000 to install cameras at each island ferry terminal and would oversee the federal funding.
“They will supplement the work done by CrimeStoppers and the police,” he said.
“Although there is policing on the Islands, there is still a definite need to monitor antisocial behaviour, mostly of which occurs at night.”
The rest of the money will come from the $40million national Safer Communities fund and is part of a federal election promise made by Justice Minister Michael Keenan and Bowman candidate Andrew Laming.
Mr Keenan said the government had committed more than $100 million to assist local communities in delivering strategies to address crime and anti-social behaviour.
Redland City Council Division 5 councillor Mark Edwards welcomed the cameras but said council had decided not to install cameras for a range of reasons, including cost.
Division 4 councillor Lance Hewlett said there were legal issues with installing CCTV on council-owned land.
He said the cameras would not be monitored but would have memory cards vetted by police.
“I have asked officers to investigate CCTV for Victoria Point Reserve out of my Divisional infrastructure funding and they are getting back to me with information,” Cr Hewlett said.
“It's not as straight forward a process as it seems but I fully support it.”
Mr Laming said CCTV played a vital role in deterring crime and helping police catch offenders.
“We are dedicated to building safer communities across Australia and understand that by investing in projects such as this one, we provide a greater piece of mind for our communities.
"Only safe communities can be strong and prosperous, and the best way to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour is to prevent it happening."
The Safer Communities Fund boosts the efforts of local governments and community organisations to address crime and anti-social behaviour by funding crime prevention initiatives such as fixed and mobile CCTV and lighting.
It also aims to boost efforts to protect schools, pre-schools and community organisations facing security risks associated with racial or religious intolerance.
