The Melbourne council that installed CCTV cameras in Brunswick after the rape and murder of ABC staffer Jill Meagher may stop the project, saying it has not reduced crime.

The nine cameras in Sydney Road, Brunswick, were partly funded by the State Government after Ms Meagher’s 2012 murder.

Footage from a camera in a private business was key to the arrest of her killer, Adrian Bayley.

There was heated debate between Moreland City councillors this week over the future of the cameras.

In a statement, Moreland Mayor Helen Davidson said the council would study the cost of maintaining the cameras before committing to their future beyond 2019.

“No decision has been made and until we do make a decision, Moreland will continue to work closely with Victoria Police and other community agencies to do everything we can to improve public safety,” she said.

Jill Meagher’s parents ‘horrified’

But former mayor Oscar Yildiz told 774 ABC Melbourne the council’s approach was a harsh blow to the Meagher family.

“I just got off the phone to Jill’s parents. I mean they’re horrified. They’re absolutely disappointed and horrified and look, I am too.”
Oscar Yildiz

“[The] decision is a bit of a kick in the guts to families who’ve lost loved ones.”

He said the cameras were effective in being able to apprehend offenders and said it cost the council no more than $10,000 a year to maintain them.

“Some of the councillors said the cameras don’t prevent crimes, but they (the cameras) do,” he said.

-ABC