Graffiti vandalism cost Townsville ratepayers $100,000

Townsville ratepayers are being slugged thousands of dollars to remove graffiti vandalism from the city. REVEALED: THE MOST TARGETED SUBURBS.

TOWNSVILLE ratepayers were slugged $100,000 for the cost of removing graffiti vandalism from the city, with the most targeted suburbs revealed.

The latest data from the Townsville City Council shows in the 2018/19 financial year, $85,000 worth of graffiti was reported from members of the community, causing residents to fork out nearly $1000 a week.

There were a total of 167 incidents between that period, with the most targeted sites being bus stops (83) parks (51), public toilets (17) and buildings (16).

The worst impacted suburbs by vandals were Condon (16), Heatley (14), Kirwan (11) and Townsville City (11).

Graffiti on council property cost ratepayers $15,000, bringing the total cost to $100,000 with 129 incidents reported across Townsville.

The most targeted sites for council property included concrete blocks — including footings of bridges and overpasses (30), and walls (26).

Street Art Activation Working Group Chair Councillor Russ Cook said council’s use of artists was a way to combat vandalism of the city.

“Illegal graffiti is always disappointing to see, and it does take resources — both in staff to clean the graffiti and the cost associated with cleaning — to remove from across the city,” Cr Cook said.

“Council has implemented our street art program which does help to deter illegal graffiti while also attracting visitors and activating our public spaces.

“Other deterrence measures also include legal graffiti walls that give youth a safe space to paint and tag — these have been operating quite successfully.”

Townsville MP Scott Stewart said people caught breaking the law should expect to face the consequences.

I think anyone caught graffitiing any of our buildings or our public spaces should be punished according to the law,” he said.

“It’s illegal and shouldn’t be done, it’s not respected in the city and it’s not tolerated.”

Mr Stewart said the council’s approach of commission artwork as a way to ward off vandalism was “very successful”.

“The graffiti is very disappointing and especially around this time of year for our city,” he said.

“It’s the last thing visitors need to see when they come here is that around the place, it detracts from the city.”

Originally published as Graffiti vandalism cost Townsville ratepayers $100,000