Mayor says fight for security cameras far from over
Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader says she will step up lobbying efforts for the NSW Government to fund public security cameras for Ballina and Lennox Head, despite a $1m funding promise from the Prime Minister.
Anthony Albanese’s RAAF Airbus flew into Ballina late Friday afternoon, with the PM joining the ALP Member for Richmond Justine Elliott at a beachside press conference at Lennox Head. There he promised $1m each in funding to Ballina, Byron and Tweed Councils for improved security measures.
While welcoming the funding, Mayor Cadwallader said it was uncertain and came with conditions. She said the recent surge in crime across the region meant the community couldn’t afford to wait.
“The funding promise was conditional on the Albanese Government and Justine Elliot being re-elected. The election hasn’t even been called yet and the bookies are saying the odds of Mr Albanese being re-elected are getting slimmer by the day, so on behalf of those who can’t sleep safely at night, I’m not willing to take those odds when it comes to community safety,” Cr Cadwallader said.
“I will continue making representations to the Minns Government to fund the CCTV cameras for our shire, as the state government has previously done elsewhere.
“I have also contacted the LNP asking for the Federal Opposition to match Federal Labor’s election promise, but once again, this is a second-best outcome as far as I’m concerned and I’m simply making sure I cover every possible outcome one behalf of the people of Ballina Shire.
“I have been fighting for these cameras for nearly four years with the backing of my Deputy Mayors and fellow councillors. I will continue to pursue every possible avenue because police and security experts assure us they will make a real difference in keeping track of criminals and building evidence to ensure offenders are held to account.
“I thank the Member for Richmond Justine Elliot for her intervention. It’s now up to the Minns Government to deliver on what is really a state government service for our police force. We just can’t afford to wait,” Cr Cadwallader said.
