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LITHGOW’S recent graffiti outbreak shows no signs of slowing down, with the Theatre Royal the latest building to be ‘tagged’ by an unknown vandal.
Other than proving to be an eyesore for the entire community, graffiti can cost councils and building owners hundreds and thousands of dollars in an attempt to rectify the damage.
At a time where beautifying the local streets and businesses is high on the agenda, the frequent instances of graffiti are frustrating for business owners and community members alike.
In recent weeks, incidents have been occurring thick and fast with many commenting that it is the worst outbreak of this kind of vandalism in recent memory.
Many businesses in Lithgow’s CBD have been graffitied, while other targets throughout the year have been Lithgow Public School, Lithgow Railway Station, and Lithgow High School.
While Lithgow City Council members are proactive in their attempts to combat graffiti in a timely manner, when the damage is done to a privately owned building the idiotic evidence can remain for some weeks or even months before it is rectified, due to costs associated with the cleanup or absentee landlords.
The NSW government has taken several steps to combat the scourge of graffiti.
NSW laws include:
● The requirement of young offenders charged with graffiti offences to appear before a court.
● Introducing drivers licence penalties for offenders as an additional penalty available to the courts for graffiti offenders.
● Strengthening Community Service Orders by requiring courts to order that graffiti clean up work be a condition of a Community Service Order for a graffiti offence where reasonably practicable.
The government has also instigated a single state-wide hotline — 1800 707 125 — for the public to report graffiti in their community and get it removed.
Anyone can report acts of graffiti vandalism against public assets, community facilities or private property.
If graffiti vandalism occurs on your own property or a property you are responsible for, you should report the incident as soon as possible.
The NSW Graffiti Hotline operates from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays.