Residents encouraged to report graffiti vandalism
Shellharbour City Council and Lake Illawarra Police District are again joining forces to combat graffiti in Shellharbour City by hosting their annual Graffiti Removal Day.
Students from Albion Park High School and volunteers from Shellharbour Rotary Club will roll up their sleeves alongside local police officers and Shellharbour City Council staff, including the Youth Services team.
The group will get to work painting laneways off Con O’Keefe Oval, Albion Park on Monday 26 February 2024.
The event calls on the community to get involved in cleaning up their local neighbourhoods and strengthening the sense of community pride and safety.
In the 2022/23 financial year, Shellharbour City Council had 95 graffiti work orders at a cost of $120,616.
Unfortunately, these figures have already been surpassed this financial year, with 103 work orders to date, and a projected total cost of $185,000 for 2023/24.
Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer acknowledged the impact that graffiti had on the community.
“Graffiti vandalism is an ongoing problem across the state. Localised events like Graffitti Removal Day not only raise awareness of the issue, but also provide an opportunity for residents to display community pride,” Mayor Homer said.
“Shellharbour is a stunning part of the world and we are doing our best to keep it that way, but we also need the community’s help.”
Through initiatives such as the More Things Like This mural festival and ongoing mural program, Council has been working with established and emerging artists to create large-scale artworks in high-target areas across Shellharbour City.
These projects aim to reduce the incidence of graffiti, tagging and malicious damage to property to enhance and enliven the area while connecting and inspiring the community.
People can report graffiti via the NSW Graffiti Hotline on 1800 707 125. Callers can remain anonymous if they wish.
Graffiti on Council property can be reported on 4221 6111 or via the website.
If you are a victim of graffiti on your own property, report it directly to police via the NSW Police Force Community Portal.
Note: The Mayor, police, students and Rotarians will start painting the laneways off Con O’Keefe Oval, Albion Park on Monday 26 February 2024 at 10am.
