November 6, 2012
South Burnett Regional Council will get a $16,000 grant from the State Government to either rid local areas of graffiti or give a facelift to community facilities.
All of the State’s 73 councils will share in funding for the next four years to ensure public buildings and amenities are looking their best.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said the Council can decide how it uses the money.
“Some communities are more seriously affected than others but our government won’t confine grants to the big cities,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“In line with the Newman Government’s view of empowering local communities, the South Burnett council will decide how best to use the money.”
Local Government Minister David Crisafulli said graffiti was costing councils thousands of dollars each year.
“Whether it’s a pedestrian bridge or a picnic table, locals are proud of their community assets and they don’t want them to be tagged by graffiti vandals,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Councils may also choose to paint a mural on a wall or give a lick of paint to a public toilet.
“Either way, we know the local community will get bang for their buck.”
In conjunction with the grants, Crime Stoppers will run a new State-wide GraffitiSTOP hotline, website and Facebook page so people can alert authorities to new graffiti by phone 1300-472-334 (6:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Fridays excluding Public Holidays), text or online.
The initiative will also give Council the opportunity to join with the Department of Community Safety to use community service offenders to help remove graffiti where appropriate.
