Community
16 December, 2024
‘Senseless vandalism’
THE escalating cost of vandalism and youth crime across the region is becoming unsustainable to ratepayers and putting an emotional toll on sporting clubs, volunteers and small businesses.
Over the past two months (October and November), the cost to repair senseless vandalism at Cairns Regional Council assets has skyrocketed to $105,000, on top of the cost to sporting clubs and businesses.
Mayor Amy Eden said if it continued, projects would have to be re-prioritised and service levels might slip as crews were redeployed to urgent repair jobs.
“We are seeing record-high levels of vandalism at council facilities, grassroots sporting clubs and small businesses,” she said.
“This is a disgrace and it’s completely unsustainable. By the end of this financial year, unbudgeted costs from damage and repairs will be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Cr Eden said it was having a direct impact on ratepayers, with repairing damage to public facilities could have otherwise funded vital community improvements, such as playground upgrades, park enhancements and sporting infrastructure.
She said the Walker Rd sporting precinct was hit again over the weekend of November 30/December 1, with tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Vandals destroyed the council’s security camera in the car park, rendering it unusable until repairs are completed.
Additionally, Mulgrave Cricket Club facilities were broken into, with a wall breached, keys stolen, and further attempts made to access electrical controls and disable security systems.
“At Walker Road, volunteers and club members are at such a desperate point they stayed overnight to guard their facility and I know other clubs and facilities are considering doing the same thing,” Cr Eden said.
“It’s heartbreaking to see club members and volunteers, who give so much of their time, burdened with this additional stress.”
Other recent incidents include damage to the Edmonton Storm clubhouse at Petersen Park, where vandals smashed glass doors, damaged locks and lit fires near council amenities.
Cr Eden said the council was doing everything it could to address the youth crime crisis through both immediate and long-term solutions.
Chief Superintendent Fitzgibbon said police were working with the council to prevent crime “and ensure the community is and feels safe”.
“The Far North district has a number of initiatives and strategies working to address youth offending from every angle,” he said.
“Co-ordinated strategies alongside partner agencies are continuing to target active recidivist offending, while dedicated efforts are also focused on early intervention and prevention to reduce future offending and break the cycle of youth crime.”
Police Minister Dan Purdie said crime was “costing our communities which is why the Crisafulli government is ensuring the Making Queensland Safer laws are in place before Christmas”.
“We will continue to work alongside all levels of government to reduce victim numbers and prevent crime before it happens,” he said.
