Previously, Council’s use of surveillance was managed under separate policies for CCTV and body worn cameras.

A review in early 2026 found that Council uses a wider range of technologies that may be considered surveillance, including tourism cameras, asset inspection cameras, location tracking tools and other recording devices. These activities were not all captured under the existing policies.

The new draft policy brings all surveillance activities into one clear and consistent framework. It explains when an activity is considered surveillance, how approvals are managed, and how privacy and data protection laws are met. It also improves transparency and provides clear pathways for community enquiries or complaints.

The policy does not allow artificial intelligence or facial recognition technology to be used.

The draft Surveillance Technology Policy is on public exhibition for four weeks.

Community feedback will help inform the final version that is presented to Council for adoption.

Submissions close on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.