Hornsby graffiti vandals leaving small businesses thousands of dollars out of pocket

Small businesses are thousands of dollars out of pocket after graffiti vandals left their mark on their property. They are now calling for action against the perpetrators.

Art for Graffitti story in Hornsby

Small Hornsby businesses are forking out thousands of dollars to repair – and try to combat graffiti vandals.

Daniel Fitzgerald, 39, who manages his family business, “Aussie Hire” – said they forked out more than $250,000 in the last decade purely in graffiti repair fees.

He said each graffiti marking costed a minimum of $600 to clean.

Mr Fitzgerald said local businesses on “Leonard St” have had to install CCTV as a result of “unscrupulous people” that tend to target the area during the night.

“The repairs are mostly out of pocket – it’s no longer worth running through insurance due to premiums,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

Mr Fitzgerald said each graffiti tag costed upward of $600 to remove. Picture: Matt Gazy

Mr Fitzgerald said his CCTV had caught a few perpetrators – however they are often minors or wearing face coverings – which limited what police could do.

He said he spent hours sifting through footage just to find a shadowy figure that couldn’t be identified.

Mr Fitzgerald said Dom’s Place – a homeless shelter neighbouring his business that opened last year – may have contributed.

Mr Fitzgerald’s business backs on to the train line – where graffiti can be seen at a nearby apartment block. Picture: Matt Gazy

Mr Fitzgerald had to install his own fencing as a safety measure. Picture: Matt Gazy

“I appreciate what they do for the community, but small businesses need help and now I have to pay staff to organise repairs,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

Mr Fitzgerald’s business backs onto the train line – which he said could provide an ideal space for “free advertising” – but instead is littered in graffiti tags.

“I’m disappointed and super angry. North Shore is an affluent area, you don’t expect this stuff.”

Mr Fitzgerald’s private property has been defaced, and instead of free advertising, this is what commuters on the train are greeted by. Picture: Matt Gazy

Colin, owner of Bars N Racks – a small business opposite Aussie Hire – said his private property had also been targeted.

“I’ve spent $20,000 on security cameras – it’s cost me a fortune,” Colin said.

Colin said vandals are now scratching their graffiti tags using rocks rather than paint, adding to the hefty repair bills.

Another business down the street shot up shop entirely – Mr Fitzgerald was unable to confirm if they had left due to vandalism – however their building was left in a state of decay since at least 2020.

“NO ENTRY”: The state of a neighbouring business. Picture: Matt Gazy

Hornsby Mayor, Philip Ruddock said council were conscious of the graffiti problem.

“We are working with police trying to manage the graffiti but council isn’t resourced to put CCTV in at every corner,” Mr Ruddock said.

He said councillors will vote on alcohol free zones in the nearby area and a motion had been put before Hornsby Council for Wednesday, July 12.

Mr Ruddock said he recognised Dom’s Place provided an important service to the community, by giving those sleeping rough food and shelter.

One of the trucks Mr Fitzgerald recently registered was left in this state.

Yesterday, Kuring Gai Police officers said they attended a business on Leonard Street in relation to reports two vehicles parked at the premises had been graffitied sometime between Tuesday and Wednesday 6am.

The incident was not captured on CCTV and police said they were conducting inquiries into the incident.

“As part of ongoing proactive taskings, officers attached to Kuring Gai Police Area Command regularly patrol the Hornsby CBD and surrounds,” a police spokesman said.

Transport NSW (RailCorp) were approached for comment.