Policy Review - Draft Graffiti Vandalism Management & Draft Vandalism Reward Scheme Policies

At Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s Ordinary Council Meeting held on 17 March 2022, Council resolved to place the Draft Graffiti Vandalism Management Policy and Draft Graffiti and Vandalism Reward Scheme Policy on exhibition for a period of 28 days.

Graffiti vandalism has a direct and immediate impact on the community by reducing the social amenity of public spaces, creating visual pollution and leading to increased fear for personal security. Council recognises that graffiti vandalism is an increasingly prevalent social problem that causes serious damage to property and imposes significant repair and removal costs for Council, businesses and private citizens.

The intended outcomes of the Draft Graffiti Vandalism Management Policy are to:

• Minimise incidents of graffiti vandalism within the Port Macquarie-Hastings
• Reduce the social, environmental and economic impact of graffiti vandalism
• Provide Council and the community with an effective framework to respond
• Enhance community confidence and perception of safety.

The Graffiti and Vandalism Reward Scheme Policy seeks to outline the process related to the payment of a financial reward to members of the community where information regarding a graffiti or vandalism incident is provided to the NSW Police Force, and results in legal action resulting in a conviction against offender.

The intended outcomes of the Draft Graffiti and Vandalism Reward Scheme Policy are to:

• Encourage the community to take action to report information about graffiti offenders or vandals to the NSW Police Force.
• Deter offending by increasing the risk of detection and apprehension.
• Remove excuse-making opportunities through educating people involved in the intentional or reckless damage of property (by committing incidents of vandalism or graffiti) that these acts are crimes.
• Promote a coordinated approach to addressing local vandalism and graffiti issues between state government, represented by the NSW Police Force, local government, represented by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, and the community.

The Draft Policies will be on exhibition from Wednesday 23 March 2022 to Wednesday 20 April 2022.

A further report will be tabled at a future meeting of Council, detailing the submissions received from the public during the exhibition period

Have Your Say

Submissions can be made by

• reviewing the Draft Graffiti Vandalism Management Policy & the Draft Vandalism Reward Scheme Policy and complete the submission form below;
• emailing to council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au; or
• posting to:
  Chief Executive Officer
  Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
  PO Box 84
  Port Macquarie NSW 2444

All submissions must be received by close of business on Wednesday 20 April 2022.