Up to 68 closed circuit cameras (CCTV) are being rolled out in Invercargill's CBD, South City and Stirling Point in Bluff, as the Invercargill City Council (ICC) responds to requests from the community and Police plan to make the city safer.

Stage one of the council surveillance project, costing $2.3 million, will see CCTV within the Tay St-Gala St-Queens Dr-Leven St boundary, South City, and Stirling Point in Bluff.

It is hoped to have the system will be up and running by Christmas, with all cameras directly hardwired to the fibre network.

Stage two would involve scoping the wider Invercargill area for further potential CCTV placements.

Council Group Manager Infrastructure Erin Moogan said South City and Bluff had been incorporated into the first stage at the request of the community.

Invercargill City Council Project Manager Daniel Wilkinson, Invercargill City Mayor Nobby Clark and Southland Police Area Commander Inspector Mike Bowman. Photo: ICC

“There was an overwhelming want for these two communities to have CCTV along with the CBD. We have heard what they’ve been saying and have adjusted our plans accordingly."

“The Bluff community has been asking for CCTV at Stirling Point for some time now after the glass panels were vandalised on several different occasions and we are pleased that we can now provide this for them,” Moogan said.

“Having CCTV in our community is to act as a preventative measure. Our community can have peace of mind that their safety is front of mind for us.”

While ICC was the owner of the CCTV, Police would be able to access real-time footage. However, they would be required to request past footage if needed.

Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark said he was pleased to see the CCTV project under way.

“This is something the community has been wanting for some time now. All aspects of the project have been agreed on and we can now get to the next steps in keeping our community safe."

“This is designed to support and protect our community.”

The first cameras have started being installed but will not be online until fully commissioned.