Providing Public CCTV infrastructure

The Public Place CCTV camera program helps Victoria Police to respond to incidents in the CBD. The program aims to provide a safer environment and improve perceptions of safety by deterring potential offenders and helping police with crime detection.

88 CCTV cameras have been installed predominantly in the CBD; however, there are CCTV cameras in the Wendouree West and the White Flat Recreation Reserves. These are linked to a control room at the police station, which council does not have direct access to.

Images are recorded 24 hours a day and saved for 28 days. Police can then refer to real-time images to respond to incidents. Downloading of footage is restricted to Victoria Police members who have approved access to the CCTV Control Room. 

Police cannot access CCTV at the request of community members; however, they are authorised to access via a police report in relation to a criminal matter, property crime or property damage report. 

Visit the Victoria Police website to Report a non-urgent crime

An independent governance audit of the City of Ballarat's CCTV documentation was conducted in 2016, with minor amendments being undertaken to the MoU with Victoria Police and the Standard Operating Procedures.

An infrastructure audit was undertaken in 2016 to determine the lifespan of the CCTV cameras and capacity for future camera deployment and is ongoing.

The Australian Code of Practice sets out the procedural arrangements to be adhered to regarding the Public Place CCTV system and stand-alone cameras. Council must adhere to the Australian Code of Practice under its legislative responsibilities. 

Call our Customer Service team on 5320 5500 to make an enquiry or complaint.