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Following a survey that found most community members supported the idea, the City of Monash will install closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras to monitor the Oakleigh Activity Centre in real time.

With a number of reported incidents in and around the Centre, including theft, increasing anti-social behaviour and the fatal stabbing of a young man in 2020, the Council has taken up the Victorian Government’s offer of $50,000 towards the purchase and installation of CCTV cameras at the facility.

At its 31st August meeting, Councillors voted to accept the offer and contribute $2,500 to $5,000 a year for ongoing maintenance.

Victoria Police will conduct the surveillance.

A Council-commissioned report involving a Monash-wide community engagement process found general support for the move. JWS Research conducted 500 phone surveys and a Shape Monash web page enabled online feedback and surveys. The process drew 486 responses from residents and non-residents.

Asked about the use of Council assets and resources for the real-time monitoring and video surveillance of activity by Victoria Police:

• Most phone respondents (78%) supported the proposal, including 46% who ‘strongly’ supported it. Almost seven in 10 online respondents (68%) supported it, with 60% offering strong support.
• Nine in 10 phone respondents (91%) agreed that CCTV was appropriate to help community safety. Of those who responded online, 71% agreed.
• Three in four phone (75%) and 65% of online respondents said it was appropriate to use Council assets such as CCTV cameras for live monitoring and surveillance of people by Victoria Police.
• Seven in 10 (71%) phone and 62% of online respondents said it was appropriate for Council to fund the ongoing maintenance of the State Government funded cameras.
• Most respondents were not concerned about invasion of privacy or feeling uncomfortable.
• About three in 10 (29% phone and 33% online) said real-time CCTV monitoring in public areas would ‘invade my privacy’.
• Around one in four (23%) of phone and 31% of online respondents said they would feel uncomfortable accessing public spaces and areas with real-time CCTV monitoring.

Monash Mayor Brian Little said the Council took seriously its responsibility to ensure individual privacy was maintained in managing CCTV systems and, as the Council’s current CCTV Policy did not factor in real-time monitoring, this will now be reviewed and amended to comply with Victorian regulations for this project.

Mayor Little stated “we need to ensure that the policy and this project are consistent with human rights, Freedom of Information, privacy, data protection, and surveillance laws.”

Advising that as part of the installation process, officers would consult relevant community members, Victoria Police, traders and businesses near the proposed cameras, Mayor Little added “Council will also conduct more detailed work on the proposed sites.

“So far they include the Council-owned Chester Street and Hanover Street carparks.”

Image: The Oakleigh Activity Centr. Credit: City of Monash.

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