GHD was engaged by the Australian Customs Service (ACS) to
enhance surveillance of Australia’s international seaports with a
national waterfront closed circuit television (CCTV) network.
The system is used to support Customs and
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) officers, by
detecting and collecting evidence of illegal activities which
threaten the Australian border. The network is the largest project
of its type in the world, and embodies over 200 cameras and 50
video switchers in 54 Australian ports. The system is connected to
a network of district, regional and national monitoring centres,
providing 24-hour control, monitoring, recording and annunciation
of video-activated movement alarms.
GHD won the contract to design and manage
installation of the system and was responsible for system
programming and training, using the subconsultant Bemac Security.
The project followed CCTV technology trials, which ACS undertook on
the waterfront from the mid-1990s. Pilot systems, in the cities of
Melbourne, Geelong and Portland, were installed in 1998, and ACS
remotely monitored all sites from the Customs House in Melbourne’s
CBD.
Video image quality has been a key performance
criteria for ACS throughout the project. High-quality CCTV
lenses, cameras, switchers, monitors, recorders and transmission
systems were selected and configured to meet this requirement. The
design enables transmission of video signals on up to eight
separate series paths, including up to four video switchers, while
maintaining good image quality.
The network draws on the best and most
cost-effective balance of digital and analogue technology.
GHD managed implementation of the project
hardware through contracts with five major equipment suppliers and
nine regional CCTV installers. Key components of the system were
designed in Australia – including cabinets and housings, microwave
links, data radios, video switchers, VMD processors, ISDN codecs
and picture-in-picture devices.