Concerns over council surveillance cameras 'looking into' female beach toilets
A Sydney woman noticed the 'huge black camera' from inside the change rooms before blasting council.
A Sydney council's decision to install beach surveillance cameras has caused concern among locals who fear its position allows full access to the female change rooms.
The cameras were installed on top of the outdoor amenities block in Oak Park, Cronulla, to monitor the adjacent beach and surf conditions at the unpatrolled Shelly Beach. However, its placement has caused distress among females who say their privacy and safety is jeopardised.
One woman said she "couldn't have possibly believed it" if she hadn't seen it herself. "I had to walk back out and in, three times, to make sure my own eyes were not playing tricks on me," she said.
"This is a space where women shower, walk around naked, get changed, and also shower their little children, and in summer it's full. All we want here is to feel safe. And I'm sorry, but this is not it".
'How does this even happen?'
The woman took her concerns to Facebook after initially "having no joy from contacting" Sutherland Shire Council. Photos show the "huge black camera" positioned on top of the wall opposite the beach.
She said despite feeling "we are being over-monitored by a plethora of cameras" she has no issue with CCTV monitoring the ocean if it is going to save lives.
"The issue here is simply that this huge camera has been installed on the top of the wall of the women’s bathrooms, showers and change rooms, and if I can see that whole black camera with my eyes, while I’m standing in here, then it can see me."
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Responding to concerns on Facebook, Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce said "the camera is blacked out at the end where the change rooms are", suggesting it can't see in. But confirmed the council will make changes "to stop the perception".
Sutherland Shire Council confirmed to Yahoo News the camera is "focused on maintaining surveillance on our coastline and is not capable of recording images in the adjoining amenities block" — however changes will still be made.
"In response to concerns raised by some local residents, Council plans to install additional screening behind the camera, and/or adjust its position to provide further reassurance to those who use this amenities block, and to combat any further misapprehension about the use of surveillance in this location," a spokesperson said.
The surveillance follows a "steady growth" in significant incidents involving beachgoers at Shelly Beach and surrounding waters. The new surveillance will enable swift response from council lifeguards and surf lifesaving volunteers in the event of an emergency.
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