In Summary
- Council has reviewed the Safer City Camera Network following public consultation and stakeholder engagement, receiving over 400 community responses.
- The report highlights continued support for CCTV, with additional calls for improved lighting, greater police presence, and safer, more vibrant public spaces.
- Victoria Police strongly supports the network, using camera footage 116 times in 2023–24 for incident response and investigation.
- Next steps include exploring a mobile CCTV unit, enhancing lighting, and developing a new Community Safety Strategy in partnership with Victoria Police and local stakeholders.
The report follows Council’s February 2025 resolution to undertake a review of the network, which included public consultation, assessment of future expansion options, and a review of Council’s current Memorandum of Understanding with Victoria Police.
Established in 2012 as a partnership between Council and Victoria Police, the Safer City Camera Network now includes 60 CCTV cameras across Shepparton’s CBD, Victoria Park Lake and Shepparton Sports City. The system is passively monitored 24/7 by Victoria Police and actively monitored by Council staff on weekends and during major events.
Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said the review and consultation process provided valuable insights into the community perceptions of safety and the role of CCTV.
“We asked the community to tell us how safe they feel and how this system could be improved, and they responded in strong numbers,” he said.
“We heard that while CCTV is an important part of the solution, people also want to see more lighting, greater police presence, and cleaner, more vibrant public spaces. This feedback will guide the next steps for our safety strategy.”
The public consultation, which ran throughout March and April, received 427 responses through Council’s Shaping Greater Shepp website. Feedback was also gathered through targeted conversations with Victoria Police, Neighbourhood Watch, community advisory committees and local businesses.
The key themes emerging from the consultation included:
- Support for continued use of CCTV
- Calls for better lighting in public spaces and car parks
- Concerns about anti-social behaviour and youth crime
- Requests for more visible police and security patrols
- Perceptions of lower safety around areas across the Shepparton CBD
Victoria Police also provided strong support for the network, noting its value in both real-time incident response and post-incident investigations. In 2023–24, police downloaded and used footage from the network on 116 occasions to support investigations and prosecutions.
The report, noted at the June Council Meeting, outlines a number of potential future actions, including:
- Developing a new Community Safety Strategy in partnership with stakeholders and the community.
- Exploring the feasibility of a mobile CCTV unit
- Continuing collaboration with Victoria Police
- Educational programs that reduce vulnerability to crime
“This is about closing the loop,” Cr Sali said.
“Council is committed to responding to what we have heard, and ensuring that every resident feels safe, no matter where they live in Greater Shepparton.”
For further information, please call Council on 5832 9700 or email council@shepparton.vic.gov.au.
