BOWMAN MP Andrew Laming has challenged Redlands MP Kim Richards to pay half the cost of security cameras at Weinam Creek while he funds the rest.
Mr Laming’s call for state government to help fund CCTV comes after vandals struck car parks on Sunday night, damaging at least 10 cars, tipping one on its side.
Ms Richards lashed back at Mr Laming saying cameras he had funded for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands were still in boxes after 18 months.
“It’s clear that Andrew Laming is desperate with his CCTV cameras,” she said.
Ms Richards did not say she would meet Mr Laming’s offer but called on council to fund CCTV for hot spots in the Redlands during its budget next week.
She blamed council for failing to install island cameras.
“Gold Coast, Logan, Ipswich, Brisbane, Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast councils own and operate CCTV for their community. Redlands is the only council not to,” she said.
“We know where councils are providing CCTV, they are working collaboratively with their local police and providing access to the feed.
“This is as an extremely effective crime prevention strategy.”
Mr Laming slammed Ms Richards’ argument that CCTV cameras were a council issue.
“That’s an absolute cop-out,” Mr Laming said.
“I will go 50-50 with Kim Richards on CCTV cameras if she cares enough to kick in some coin.”
Mr Laming said the cameras could be partly funded through the federal government’s Stronger Communities Program.
The state government installed 17 security cameras – mostly covering the buildings and jetty – in the upgraded bus station at the Weinam Creek ferry terminal.
In July last year, then assistant transport minister Glenn Butcher said if more cameras were needed, it was up to council.
A council spokesperson said at that time there were no plans to install cameras because Redlands was a relatively safe and low crime area compared to other cities where CCTV cameras were used.
Council is yet to decide on a CCTV policy for the Redlands.
“A report … will be considered at a general council meeting in the near future,” a spokesperson said.
Cr Mark Edwards said he hoped the report would be put before council sooner rather than later.
“I have been in favour of CCTV since I was elected to council,” he said. “However there has not been support from the majority of councillors.”
Cr Edwards said it was unlikely there would be support for the cameras at Weinam Creek until after council’s redevelopment, which includes a multi-storey car park.
He said 24-hour monitoring was expensive but cameras that recorded video that could be accessed if a crime was committed could lead to arrests and convictions.
Council have been asked to respond regarding the installation of cameras on SMBIs.
