Sydney City Council spends $3.5M on CCTV upgrade

City of Sydney acting CEO, Garry Harding, said the new additions to the network modernises the existing CCTV network - which is connected by fibre optics across the Sydney CBD and nearby Oxford Street, Kings Cross and Glebe.

The system complements State Government systems and allows the City to help police in the detection and investigation of a wide array of crimes including alcohol-related crime, anti-social behaviour, stealing and other street offences.

"The new digital system is monitored live 24-hours a day and provides 106 terabytes of recording capacity meaning all 82 cameras can be recorded live at 25 frames per second and stored for up to 28 days,” he said.

According to Harding, the switch to digital recording and upgraded cameras improve image quality for City camera operators, helping them identify potential incidents and assist police to respond.

"The cameras now also feature greater zoom and low light capacity meaning a clearer, sharper picture to assist police during investigations and prosecutions," Harding said.

Footage from the CCTV centre can be transferred live to the Police Operations Centre or police stations during major public events, he said.

Harding said, as part of the upgrade, a back-up generator and second cabling system has been installed to protect against accidental disruption.

Improvements were also made to conference room facilities, the IT network, the radio and phone communications network and staff amenities.

The use and access to CCTV footage is strictly controlled by a Code of Practice which requires footage to be destroyed after 28 days if it is not required by police, he said.