Broome’s CCTV network upgraded, enhancing community safety

Published on 17 July 2025

The Shire of Broome has significantly improved its town CCTV network, with the majority of cameras now operational — a major improvement from this time last year.

Currently, 86% of the Shire’s 110 CCTV cameras are functioning, with the remaining 14% offline due to end-of-life status. Last year’s outages were largely caused by physical damage from birds and bats or harsh weather, which frequently disrupted system performance.

This improvement follows a transition from issue-based maintenance to a more proactive and planned approach, enabling earlier identification of potential faults and timely upgrades of aging equipment to maintain consistent and reliable coverage.

The CCTV network plays a crucial role in keeping the community safe by helping to prevent crime, enabling faster emergency response, and supporting investigations. Footage is regularly utilised by WA Police and local stakeholders, contributing to a safer and better-managed town.

Recent upgrades include the repair of 16 cameras in Chinatown and the installation of a new system to improve connectivity. Further upgrades are planned for the 2025–26 financial year, focusing on the Town Beach precinct.

Community safety has consistently ranked as a top priority in the Shire’s community scorecard survey, and residents regularly call for enhanced CCTV coverage through feedback at Council meetings. In response, the Shire has made ongoing improvements to the network and is actively advocating for further support.

With continued investment and advocacy, the Shire remains committed to meeting community expectations around safety.

“Community safety is a clear priority for our residents, and improving CCTV coverage is something we consistently advocate for when engaging with both State and Federal Government,” Shire President Chris Mitchell said.

“Enhancing our CCTV network is one of the practical ways we’re responding to community concerns — it’s about delivering peace of mind, deterring crime, and making our public spaces more welcoming for everyone.”