CCTV security cameras are being installed at Bellingen Cemetery to deter young people from gathering there for late-night parties, a trend Bellingen Shire Council has seen increasing and hopes to stop.

According to Council, the night-time gatherings so far have led to anti-social conduct such as traffic offenses, underage drinking and offensive behaviour.

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“On Saturday evening, 14 January 2023, the Police were called out to the Bellingen Cemetery, where it was reported 200 to 250 youths were gathered, many of whom were drinking alcohol, lighting explosives and abusing Police,” a Bellingen Shire Council spokesperson said.

The Bellingen Shire Mayor, Cr Steve Allan said, “This behaviour is unacceptable and very worrying to the community.

“There are residents in the area who are bearing the brunt of the noise pollution and are scared in their homes when these unwelcome gatherings occur.

“The cemetery is the place where our community come to remember their loved ones who are no longer with us, it is not appropriate that large gatherings of partygoers are congregating there.

“While there is no simple solution to unsolicited parties, the Council will install CCTV cameras at the site, to deter youth from congregating at this location,” said the Mayor.

“This is only a provisional solution to disperse the crowd, and I urge the local parents of our teenagers to discourage involvement in these events.

“These unsolicited bush parties are putting our young people at unnecessary risk.”

The mobile CCTV cameras will be installed at the location to ensure local police can monitor and document the movement of traffic at the cemetery.

The Council spokesperson said the decision has been welcomed by local Police and residents and will address the immediate issue at the cemetery site.

Mindful that teenagers and young people have preferences unique to their age, the Council funds a range of services to help address the wider issue of anti-social behaviour in the community.

The Bello Youth Hub has a range of programs and services that provide support to young people to assist in dissuading anti- social behaviour.

The local youth workers at Bello Youth Hub are trained in programs focused on education and prevention such as Save A Mate, a drug and alcohol workshop that teaches young people how to look after themselves and their friends, and teaches them how to administer first aid in a drug or alcohol emergency.

The Hub will soon have a dedicated Alcohol and Drug (AOD) outreach worker available two days a week to support youth with alcohol and drug use concerns.

These initiatives have been proven effective as intervention-based programs, educating teens in the early stages of adulthood.

By Andrea FERRARI