Councillors get set for close-up

By Kelly Yates
CASEY councillors could soon be getting their close-up shots in the council chamber, with a proposal to videotape meetings still under discussion.
At Tuesday night’s council meeting, officers recommended that the council did not proceed with the videotaping proposal.
But a further report is due to come back to the council on the costs of installing a camera.
Council’s Meeting Procedures Local Law allows audio recording of council meetings and the sale of recordings.
A report from administration manager Ian Sparrow said videotaping a council meeting, apart from a “picture”, would not add anything to what was already achieved with the current audio recording.
He stated that for an acceptable standard of video to be produced, equipment and technical expertise would be required.
“An investment in cameras, recording and editing equipment, as well as staff operating and afterwards editing would also add to costs for minimal benefit to council.”
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith disagreed, saying it didn’t need to be an epic motion picture like Avatar.
“We’re not producing a blockbuster. The councillors won’t need to have make-up and costume calls,” he said.
“We need a security style camera, allowing picture and sound to be recorded, in the chamber.”