Cameras to provide insights on Castle Hill usage
Date published: 28 October 2016
Two cameras have been installed on Castle Hill to give council accurate statistics of Castle Hill usage.
The equipment, provided by local company Northern Consulting Engineers, has been erected on the road near the summit and just off the track where the Goat Track and Cudtheringa Tracks meet.
They will record 24 hours per day over the next week.
Data such as how many pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles use the road and when, will be fed back into the Castle Hill Master Plan currently in development by council.
Local councillor Ann-Maree Greaney said the data will provide the most accurate information on hill usage that council has ever collected.
“This will provide realistic overall data of hill usage – everything from when the peak times for pedestrians is, or how many cars use the hill at night, through to how many bicycles and so on,” Cr Greaney said.
“This data will guide us with future decision-making for the hill.”
Planning and Development Committee chair Cr Les Walker said the master plan was the ‘bigger picture’ for the staged delivery of facilities on the hill, which would be delivered over a number of years.
“The plan will incorporate information from other studies into things such as bushfires, erosion control and landslide studies,” Cr Walker said.
“It’s all about creating a balance between promoting the natural value of the hill and provide opportunities for tourists and locals.”
The master plan is expected for internal review in November.
