Aren’t We Good Enough Mick?
Today’s Courier Mail is carrying a story surveillance cameras and how a number of regional councils are investigating the possibility of having their cameras monitored by staff from Ipswich City Council. And of course our Mayor Mick is interested in having the security cameras in Hervey Bay and Maryborough monitored from Ipswich “… if the price is right”
Just what is the “right price” Mick? With at least three security providers here in Hervey Bay isn’t there at least one here that could do the job just as well as someone over in Ipswich?
Wouldn’t it be better to keep jobs here in the Fraser Coast Regional Council area even if we did have to pay a premium Mick?
I hope someone from the Council can explain why it’s better to send money out of the region than to employ people within the region.
February 21st, 2010 at 3:47 pm
I don’t know how many cameras are involved. But if the cameras are to be monitored 24/7, would it be cost effective to have them monitored here?
I would have thought one person could monitor a dozen or so cameras, to allow for toilet breaks etc. There would need to be at least two people on duty at any one time. How many cameras would there be in HB and M’borough?
February 21st, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Jon
I’m not sure how many cameras are involved at the moment but you can be sure that the number will grow.
I take your point about toilet breaks but at least one of the security firms here in Hervey Bay monitors security alarms 24/7 … with someone on duty in their control room … at all times.
The willingness of this council to outsource work that locals could do just as well as anyone else is really alarming.
February 21st, 2010 at 6:06 pm
I believe that all the local security companies have their monitoring done by companies from out of town. Certainly the one I use does. It is a matter of economies of scale, with Hervey Bay, sorry, Fraser Coast possibly not having enough demand for a local monitoring centre. Maybe someone should start one up if there is enough demand. There is another potential local enterprise to create employment