Security Cameras for Body Corporate and Common Areas

What worries committees and residents

Common areas attract the same problems again and again. Car park gates are left open. Bins get dumped in. Parcels disappear from the foyer. A visitor car takes someone's space, and a resident's vehicle gets scratched with nobody around to see it.

Committees face a second set of worries. A camera system affects everyone who lives in the building, so people want to know who approved it, what it records and who is able to watch. Residents rightly worry about being filmed in their own doorways and balconies. A good system answers those questions before they are asked.

Where cameras go, and why

We aim to cover the shared spaces where problems occur, and to leave residents' private areas alone.

• Car park entry and exit. A view of vehicles as they enter and leave helps with unauthorised access.
• Car park bays and aisles. A wide view helps when a vehicle is damaged.
• Bin rooms and rubbish areas. These are common dumping spots and they are rarely supervised.
• Main entries, lobbies and mail areas. These show who comes and goes.
• Lift lobbies and stairwells. Placed carefully, they record movement through shared circulation space.
• Pool, gym and rooftop access. Cover the entry points rather than the amenity itself.

We do not point cameras into apartment windows, balconies or private courtyards. A lens aimed at a neighbour's private space can cause real trouble, and privacy masking is available on many systems. Our apartments page covers the resident's side of the story.

How AI detection helps

Strata sites are quiet for long stretches, which suits intelligent detection on compatible systems. Vehicle detection can create alerts or searchable events based on vehicle activity in the car park. Human detection helps separate people from leaves, lights and passing animals.

An intrusion zone around a bin room or plant room can notify the appropriate person if somebody enters late at night. A tripwire across a vehicle entrance flags when a person or vehicle crosses the line. If a complaint is raised, intelligent video search on compatible systems helps locate the relevant people or vehicles without anyone watching hours of footage. AI features vary depending on the selected camera and recorder, so we confirm the capabilities of your proposed equipment.

Who can view the footage

This is often the most important question for a building. Footage is recorded on the NVR, which can be kept in a locked comms room or cupboard. DMSS access can then be shared with named people only, such as the strata manager or a committee member, instead of being open to the whole building.

Agree a written position on who may look, when and for what reason. A resident asking to see footage is a request for the committee to consider, not an automatic right. Remote access is set up securely through DMSS and sensible network configuration.

Plan for these things

1. Committee approval. Installing cameras on common property usually needs a committee or general-meeting decision under your strata or body corporate rules. Check your by-laws and talk to your strata manager.
2. Surveillance rules. State surveillance-devices Acts exist, and audio is treated more strictly than video. The Privacy Act may apply in some cases. This is general information, not legal advice, so check your own state's rules.
3. Signage. Clear signs at entries tell residents and visitors that cameras are in use.
4. A footage policy. Decide who can view, how long recordings are kept and how requests are handled.
5. Cabling. Older buildings can be tricky, so a site assessment helps plan routes and power.
6. Costs. Who pays, and how it is levied, is a matter for your committee.

Coverage and scheduling are confirmed when we quote. Our how it works page outlines each step, and you can call 1300 263 551 to discuss a committee brief.

Frequently asked questions