BATHURST Regional Council has put a further $6500 behind stage two of the central business district closed-circuit television (CCTV) network, which is in the process of being installed.
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At its meeting last week, council resolved to award the maximum $500 each on a dollar-for-dollar basis to Loxley House Family Practice and Vanessa Pringle Floral Designs, which had applied for funding under round two of the 2019-20 Bathurst CCTV Funding program.
There was $7500 available when applications opened and, with only two applicants, a significant amount was left over.
The director of Cultural and Community Services recommended that the remaining $6500 be redirected to stage two of the CBD CCTV project.
Councillor Alex Christian said it was good to see the funds put to good use.
"It's great to see, any money we can filter through the CBD CCTV project the better," he said.
"It's just going to create a more secure CBD.
"I'm proud to say that we've gone from having no CCTV network in the CBD to having the most advanced this side of the Blue Mountains in two years."
He said that, while the CCTV funding program for businesses may not be getting many applications, that may not be a bad thing.
"It's probably a good sign. Over my time on council, a lot of businesses have applied and received that $500 ... so it might be a sign that all the people who needed it have applied," Cr Christian said.
To date, 74 businesses have been approved for funding under the program since its inception five years ago, however, some have been withdrawn as they failed to complete their projects within the specified timeframe.
Council has very detailed criteria that businesses have to meet to be awarded funding, including having to register their equipment with Bathurst Police.
In order to expand the CCTV coverage, council is in the process of rolling out stage two of the CBD program, with construction starting earlier this month.
The first stage of rollout saw cameras installed in the busiest areas of William, Keppel, Russell, Howick and Bentinck streets, and now the network is being expanded to George Street, Piper Street and Havannah Street, and also Machattie Park.
The second stage of the project includes the expansion of the control centres, laying of fibre and the installation of 10 new cameras.
People can expect some disruption to parking while the works are being carried out over the next three to four months, ahead of the cameras going live in June.
