Security improvements for Spa Thermal Park

2 October 2014

Thieves are more likely to get caught at Spa Thermal Park following a Taupo District Council decision to install a power cable to guarantee the operation of the CCTV camera.

The council decided at its September meeting to upgrade the supply from a solar panel which caused the camera operation to be intermittent.

A cable will be installed to connect the camera and toilet block to the main power network on Spa Road, which will ensure the camera operates consistently. New lighting will also be put in to improve visibility for park users.

District manager of parks and public spaces John Ridd said the improvements would benefit all who used the park. Knowing a camera is watching over vehicles and park users while in the car park will provide comfort and security, he said. We installed this camera in 2010 to keep people and their belongings safer so we need to ensure the camera is always operational.

The CCTV camera surveys activity in the main car park. It was installed to reduce the number of cars broken into as well as provide evidence for prosecutions.

Mr Ridd said there was currently no power supply to the park, so a solar panel provided power to the camera. We thought this was likely to provide enough power for the camera's operation but the low amount of light in winter and surrounding trees means sometimes it falls short, he said.

Disruption to park users would be minimal during the work, with most of the activity kept to the grass area.

The cost of the work is estimated at $41,000 plus GST.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lisa Nairne Communications Manager 07 376 0762 027 839 8410

Vicki Waterhouse Communications Advisor 07 376 0718 027 484 2549

Taupo District Council

www.taupo.govt.nz