Following a spate of attacks on a number of Council and community facilities, Council is issuing a timely reminder that a policy exists extending a reward for information leading to a conviction.
Over the past five months, vandals have damaged equipment including the toilets, shade sails, and the public BBQs at City Park, destroying and stealing plants, vandalising the pylons and lighting at the newly constructed community stage in the Burley Griffin Community Gardens. In addition, equipment has been destroyed at Enticknap Park along with bins being set alight, damage at the Skate Park including several incidences of bins being damaged and rubbish strewn around, damage to the Jubilee Oval toilet block, and vandalism to the lighting at Memorial Park Yenda.
Griffith Mayor, Councillor John Dal Broi said unfortunately this is just the 'highlight reel' with many more than 20 acts of vandalism to Council property having taken place this year alone.
"Council is committed to providing the best possible facilities for our community to enjoy, but the increasing number of acts of vandalism makes it that much harder to ensure funds are being diverted to where they should be," said Councillor Dal Broi.
"Recently the shade sails in City Park were completely destroyed in an incident which cost Council – and in turn, ratepayers – more than $5,000.
The newly completed community stage has been targeted several times including plants destroyed and stolen costing thousands of dollars – every time something is damaged or stolen, it has a significant impact on our community and I am extremely disappointed at these senseless acts of vandalism," he said.
Director Infrastructure and Operations, Mr Phil King said any works required to rectify vandalism has impacts on Council and the wider community.
"Firstly, vandalism diverts staff away from scheduled work and puts them behind – this then impacts on the ability to provide services to our community," said Mr King.
"Secondly, the financial impact is an unexpected cost to repair or replace the damaged items which also has a flow on effect to our community. While sometimes the cost is minimal, other times it is significant and these funds cannot be recovered."
Councillor Dal Broi would like to remind residents that Council offers a reward for information on acts of vandalism which lead to a conviction.
"Council has a policy in place (GC-CP-314) which is there to encourage the public to play a role in safeguarding the assets of the community. Under this policy, Council will pay a reward of up to $2,000 to members of the public for information resulting in the conviction against persons damaging Council property – information received will be treated confidentially," he said.
Councillor Dal Broi requested that all residents close to public reserves and parks adopt a Neighbourhood Watch style approach. If any resident should see or hear anything that they believe is suspicious or has information relating to the identity of the culprits, they should report the incident to the local police or to Council on 1300 176 077.
