SECURITY cameras have been installed at Ararat's Green Hill Lake this week in a bid to improve security for users.
Ararat's Green Hill Lake Development Board president Gwenda Allgood said the decision was made by the board following ongoing thefts and hoon driving.
"We've had the theft of gas bottles and solar panels out there, which are not cheap items," she said.
"We thought for the security of people out there and ourselves, and maybe to cut down on costs as well (we would install the cameras)."
Reckless driving and vandalism have also been an issue, Mrs Allgood said.
"When you go out there you see a lot of people tearing up the roads and cutting down the trees, which breaks our hearts because the trees take a long time to grow," she said.
"The police have been very good to us - they go out and take a look at things - but we really need this for the security of the people going out there and for us because every time we have to pay for something to be fixed, that takes away from something else we could be doing out there."
The cameras are being funded by the board itself as well as through donations, and will cost about $16,000 in total.
Mrs Allgood said the lake is currently about half full and the board members have been busy implementing several other projects ahead of the busy season.
"We've also put in a magnificent chair that was donated by the prison (Ararat's Hopkins Correctional Centre)," Mrs Allgood said.
"There were fish put in the lake in July and they are growing quickly as well, which is great."
Board treasurer Morris Allgood said other projects included installing infrastructure around the lake.
"We've had the prisoners out there for about three days laying concrete pads for table and chair sets and putting in new fire pits," he said.
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