The ACT government will deploy three solar-powered CCTV cameras at strategic locations in an effort to prevent cars being torched in Canberra bushland.
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The cameras will be installed at roads heading into rural areas at Tharwa Drive in Conder, Cotter Road in Weston Creek and Point Hut Road in Gordon.
The decision comes after Police Minister Mick Gentleman asked ACT police last month to examine technologies to address the rising number of car fires in remote areas.
November's bushfire in Pierces Creek, which destroyed more than 200 hectares, was started by an abandoned car being set alight.
In December alone, 50 cars were torched in reserves and bushland across the ACT.
The cameras are expected to cost $5000 each to purchase and install.
A Justice and Community Safety Directorate spokesman said live footage from the cameras would be made available to the government and police.
"The footage may be used by ACT Policing to determine the descriptions or registrations of vehicles or individuals who may be able to assist with the investigation of stolen vehicles, bushfires or other rural crimes," the spokesman said.
"The highly visible nature of the cameras and associated signage is expected to be a deterrent to people that have an intention of committing crimes."
The cameras will be able to be moved to other locations if needed, and the spokesman said future locations were being considered.
The technology has been trialled by the ACT government since June 2017, where it has been used at large events such as Floriade, Summernats, Enlighten and New Year's Eve celebrations.
"The solar-powered CCTV cameras have proven to be a flexible and cost effective tool to provide live and recorded footage to the government and ACT Policing to support public safety, asset security and crime deterrence and investigation," the directorate spokesman said.
"Arson is a serious offence and risks the lives of the public, the police and emergency services that diligently respond to car fires."
The roll out of the cameras to bushfire-prone areas comes as the ACT bushfire season for 2018-19 has been extended to the end of the month, the longest since the 2003 season which saw hundreds of homes destroyed and killed four people.
The solar-powered cameras were just one suggestion put forward by the police minister last month to combat the rising number of car fires, with number-plate recognition technology also put forward.
The directorate spokesman said it was working with other directorates and police to removing abandoned cars in bushland to reduce the risk of fires.
"The ACT government already has legislation in place to enable authorities to quickly remove abandoned vehicles that pose a safety risk, such as from bushfire," the spokesman said.
