SECURITY cameras will be fitted to the new Weinam Creek bus station but council has been warned that if it wants car park protection beefed up, it will have to spend some money.
Assistant Transport Minister Glenn Butcher said 17 cameras had been installed at the marina’s bus station as part of an $8 million upgrade.
He said the government had done its part with a substantial sum spent on cameras.
“What we’ve done here as part of this facility is provide safety with the CCTV cameras,” he said.
“...We do cover most of the car park where you come and go but if there’s extras needed, I would suggest council have a good look at it and see what they need to cover.
“...If they can put in a few cameras and do their side of things, the whole facility is secured and safe.”
A council spokesperson said there were no plans to install cameras.
“The Redlands is a relatively safe and low crime area compared to other cities where CCTV cameras are used,” the spokesperson said.
“Redland City Council works proactively with the Queensland Police on community safety initiatives and will continue to monitor community safety in consultation with them, including any future CCTV requirements in the city.”
Cr Lance Hewlett said there was insufficient support in council for CCTV in the Redlands.
“It astounds me that we’ve not stepped into that space,” he said. “It may not stop crime, but it has proven successful in catching criminals.”
The bus station at the Redland Bay ferry terminal, due to open on July 3, has been under construction for about a year.
The upgrade includes an enclosed waiting area, ambulance bay, two minute drop off and pick up bays, ticketing facilities and two retail spaces.
Mr Butcher said they were considering expressions of interest and a cafe and newsagent would be best suited for the spaces.
“I can envisage if I was a passenger I would love to walk off the boat and grab a cup of coffee and a sandwich or for those people waiting to catch the bus, have a feed, read the paper,” he said.
Mr Butcher said there had been no change in the number of car parks but disability bays and ambulance parking was well demarcated.