Anti-graffiti coating and more lighting will be introduced in a Highlands park to help combat vandalism.
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The NSW Government will invest $33,000 in a project to protect one of Bowral’s oldest and popular parks from being spoilt by graffiti and other vandalism.
Attorney General Mark Speakman and Liberal Candidate for Wollondilly, Nathaniel Smith announced the funding would help Wingecarribee Shire Council make Corbett Gardens more resistant to criminal activity.
“Corbett Gardens is one of Bowral’s top tourist attractions, particularly during the spring Tulip Time Festival, but unfortunately it‘s also become a hotspot for graffiti and anti-social behaviour among young people,” Mr Smith said.
“The funding will enable council to install lighting in the park that will deter vandals and make it easier to detect crime when it occurs.
“Council will also apply anti-graffiti coating to sections of the park that have been repeatedly damaged.”
Liberal candidate for Wollondilly Nathanial Smith said the project would also include relocating a picnic table to an area that was more visible to people passing by and a reduction in the hours of free Wi-Fi at the park to discourage loitering in the area.
“It’s important to ensure visitors can enjoy Corbett Gardens without fear of anti-social behaviour. This is a great win for the busy family park,” Mr Smith said.
Council will also introduce monthly after school activities to engage young people and steer them away from crime.
According to police, the peak times for criminal activity at the park were from 3pm to 6pm on Fridays. Incidents have included graffiti on a wooden picnic table and in the toilet block, damage to fence panels and mesh fencing and broken windows in the garden shed.
Mr Speakman said the funding for Corbett Gardens was provided under the NSW Government’s Safer Community Compact grants program which invested up to $1.35 million each year in grass roots projects to reduce crime.
“Safer Community Compacts recognise local people understand the crime problems facing their towns and play an important role in addressing them,” Mr Speakman said.