newy.com.au – The NSW government will fully fund a $230,000 CCTV trial on Beaumont Street in Hamilton, putting state money behind the campaign to get cameras installed in one of Newcastle’s busiest precincts.
City of Newcastle will receive the funding, install the cameras and lead the three-year trial. The commitment follows a recent press conference by Newcastle Liberal Councillor Jenny Barrie amid the continuing push to secure approval for CCTV on the street.
The government said the trial would address police concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour. Those concerns have been particularly acute since 22-year-old James Callahan was killed on Beaumont Street in November 2024.
The cameras are intended to deter crime and help police respond to incidents, investigate offences and guide crime-prevention work. Minns acknowledged surveillance would not eliminate crime.
“We can’t promise cameras will stop every crime, but we can give police every reasonable tool we can to keep people safe and hold offenders to account,” he said.
Minns said businesses and residents had raised concerns about safety on the street, and credited Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp with pressing for the funding.
Crakanthorp said he had lobbied the Premier and others in Parliament this week to support the project.
“This week in Parliament I’ve been knocking on doors, telling everyone how badly we need CCTV on Beaumont Street, including the Premier,” he said.
The funding commitment establishes the state’s financial backing and the council’s role in delivering the trial. Friday’s announcement did not spell out any remaining approval steps or when residents and businesses could expect the cameras to begin operating.
