A camera sitting high on top of the traffic lights at the intersection of Brisbane Street and William Street set tongues wagging in Beaudesert when it appeared out of the blue recently.
The camera got people talking, with speculations it might be to monitor mobile phone use or even provide security footage of surrounding businesses.
Locals also noticed a new camera on a tall pole just north of the traffic lights at the Enterprise Drive and Mt Lindesay Highway intersection.
To find out the truth behind the mystery cameras, the Beaudesert Bulletin made enquiries with local police and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
In an enquiry to the Department, the Bulletin asked when the cameras were installed, why they were installed and at what cost.
The Department did not specify how much the cameras cost, but responded with the following statement, to be attributed to a Transport and Main Roads spokesperson:
“Cameras were installed in August at two busy intersections in Beaudesert to monitor traffic movements,” the statement said.
“The cameras allow officers to remotely monitor traffic and make changes to signals to optimise traffic flow.
“They also provide our Traffic Management Centre with vision to assist in incident management.
“The cost is funded through the annual Traffic Operations budget and included in the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2022-23 to 2025-26.”
