REDLAND City Council has rejected State Government funding for a CCTV network in Capalaba while giving the green light to a separate rollout in Cleveland, sparking debate over cost shifting and election promises.
The decision, carried 10-1 at April’s general meeting in confidential, means a proposed $600,000 CCTV package targeting hooning, car theft and anti-social behaviour in Capalaba will not proceed under the current model.
However, councillors voted to accept a matching $600,000 allocation for Cleveland, where cameras will be installed around Council-owned assets including the William Street precinct, Raby Harbour foreshore park and boat ramp.
The funding formed part of a broader $1.2 million State election commitment to deliver CCTV across both suburbs.
Cr Jason Colley said the key difference was how each program aligned with Council policy and who would ultimately pay.
“The State election commitment for Capalaba was specifically about CCTV for anti-car theft measures, which is outside the scope of Council’s CCTV policy,” he said.
“I for one wasn’t comfortable with asking our residents to foot the bill for ongoing operational costs for what is a State responsibility.
“The Cleveland commitment aligns with our CCTV policy in protecting Council- owned assets.”
Council officers had flagged concerns about long-term operational and maintenance costs associated with a street-based CCTV network in Capalaba, warning ratepayers could be left to fund the system beyond the initial grant.
One councillor was more blunt about the proposal.
“Capalaba was purely cost- shifting State responsibilities (policing) to ratepayers,” the councillor said.
“The State makes these grand election commitments without considering the ongoing operational costs that ratepayers have to pick up the tab for.”
The rejection has put a spotlight on the State’s election pledge, which was promoted as part of a broader crime and community safety package.
State Member for Capalaba Russell Field said discussions were ongoing to find a solution.
“The Crisafulli Government is supporting councils across Queensland to install hundreds of CCTV cameras and improve safety in our communities,” he said.
“I’m working very closely with Redlands councillors to find a solution that works for them and delivers safety to our residents.”
For now, the outcome leaves Capalaba without the promised CCTV network, with the project effectively on hold unless a new funding arrangement can be reached.
It also raises questions about the future State-funded initiatives where ongoing costs fall outside council policy frameworks.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland rollout is expected to proceed, focused on protecting council-managed infrastructure rather than broader policing objectives.
