CONCERNS have been raised by Mount Isa businesses after council's suggestion they should foot the bill to fund Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in the CBD.
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David Foster from The Master Chef Kitchen and Carvery said he was outraged at being asked to contribute funds towards the project.
"Why should I be asked to pay for it as a struggling trader in Mount Isa, how dare the council ask us to pay for it," Mr Foster said.
"The business community should not have to pay for cameras to take photos so the police can do their jobs."
Mr Foster believes the police should be more active in their duties to create a safer CBD.
"Instead of CCTV what we need is old fashioned policing."
Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce executive officer Joyce McCulloch said they have received feedback from a number of members unhappy with the lack of consultation.
She said the chamber had not received any consultation about the project which will affect many businesses in the CBD.
"The only consultation that the chamber has had was before my time here in 2011, but there has been absolutely no consultation at all about the recent CCTV."
Mrs McCulloch said she believed some business owners were reacting to Mayor Tony McGrady pressuring the business community to accept and fund the project.
"That's a lot of pressure particularly in the current climate," Mrs McCulloch said.
"A lot of businesses in the area that they are talking about are very small businesses.
"I sent a letter out on Thursday asking for feedback because the chamber has had no consultation with this process whatsoever.
"Perhaps, maybe its not something that they have budgeted for - to have a successful business you have to run with a budget - you can't just keep pulling money out and then remain a successful business."
Mayor Tony McGrady said Mrs McCulloch had known about the CCTV proposal for some time.
"The CEO of the Chamber of Commerce is well aware of what we are doing," he said.
"She has known from day one what we are doing, this didn't just happen last Wednesday, this has been going on for months, we have had a series of meetings.
"Naturally the Mount Isa City Council would be asking the Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce to assist us with notifying the members of the situation and also informing the members of the public meeting when the date is set.
Cr McGrady said council intends to call a meeting as soon as possible to answer questions and inform the business community of the scheme.
"We have have had a request from Outback at Isa and other business houses just outside the CBD who want to be part of the scheme so we have received good feedback from the general community," he said.
