Cairns City Library plastered with shocking graffiti overnight
UPDATE: Vandals have marked an embarrassing first for Cairns after tagging one of the oldest buildings in Cairns, on the same night as another CBD building. The cost of the vandalism has been revealed. SEE VIDEO OF THE DAMAGE HERE
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
UPDATE, 3PM: Vandals have marked an embarrassing first for Cairns after tagging one of the oldest buildings in Cairns, a cost that will also be felt by ratepayers.
Mayor Bob Manning said it would cost $2500 to fix any damages done to the Cairns City Library.
“It just shouldn’t happen, the city and the people deserve much better,” he said.
Painting has already started on the building but the damage was expected to be a historic first for the city.
“On that building I don't think that’s ever been done like this before. That’s the first,” he said.
“CCTV has picked up some movement around the building or around the street so we have given that over to the police and they will check that out,” Cr Manning said.
“Hopefully they are able to grab those people.”
Vandalism on the Cairns City Library was the second incident overnight. The side of Genesis Gym on Lake Street as well as the bus stop in front of it were also tagged.
Genesis Gym Cairns manager Keith Saunders said that side is painted on a regular basis.
“A lot of their time there’s been bunches of kids, anything up to 20 or 30 odd kids, and I be estimating their age would be somewhere between the 12 and 15 bracket. Police come and move them a lot,” he said.
“I would guess it would be the kids doing the graffiti.”
Genesis Gym area operations manager North Queensland Carissa Moss said they have to constantly call security and police.
“We do have regular incidences where members and staff report not being comfortable coming in and out of the gym,” she said.
UPDATE, 12.30PM: Police are on scene investigating after one of Cairns’ oldest buildings was defaced with targeted attacks on police.
Every panel and column on the Abbott St side of the building has been scarred.
The Cairns City Library remains open but signs are up indicating people should enter through an alternative door.
EARLIER: One of Cairns’ oldest and dearest public buildings has been defaced in the most offensive fashion in a shocking overnight graffiti assault.
Cairns City Library’s entire front facade has been plastered with numerous tags, crude comments, genital drawings and targeted written attacks on police.
Nearby CBD resident Kirsty Chapman was saddened and appalled to see the graffiti during her morning run, on Wednesday morning.
“This is an old historic building and it’s just really sad for the workers who have to clean this up,” Ms Chapman said.
“It’s not a great sight to wake up to while we are trying to open up and bring back tourists.”
Ms Chapman said this sort of artwork was not welcome.
“I get graffiti art, but there are other avenues to express yourself. Not like this,” she said.
“It’s been defaced, it’s just unnecessary.”
Cairns Regional Council has been contacted for comment.
More Coverage
Originally published as Cairns City Library plastered with shocking graffiti overnight
Helicopter sent to man trapped in truck on PDR
A man remains trapped in the cab of a truck on a remote Cape York road after rolling his vehicle. The rescue chopper has just landed at the scene.
Stunning images and footage of major army exercise
Stunning images from a major army exercise offer an insider’s perspective on the large-scale training held this week at Cowley Beach in Queensland, where soldiers honed their skills in handling large volumes of fuel.