THE state government will provide more than $48,000 for a project that aims to make the Albion Park Community Precinct more resistant to vandalism.
The grant will enable Shellharbour City Council to install lighting and fencing and modify the design of the landscape at the precinct to make it harder for vandals to damage property and increase the likelihood of them being caught in the act.
"Each year council spends around $30,000 on removing graffiti and repairing vandalised property at the community centre, museum and library in Albion Park," Attorney General Greg Smith said last week.
The government said installation of fencing at several sites in Albion Park Rail, including Albion Oval and the Princes Highway Precinct, had already proven effective in deterring vandals.
"Those sites are no longer regarded as graffiti hotspots and council is aiming to achieve similar results with the improvements to the Albion Park Community Precinct,” Kiama MP Gareth Ward said.
Mr Ward said the project would also help reduce the community’s fear of crime.
“Malicious damage and anti-social behaviour at the Albion Park Community Precinct has caused some staff to fear for their safety,” he said.
“This is clearly unacceptable, particularly when a significant number of the people working at the precinct are giving up their own time to help the community.”
Council will engage community groups and staff at the Albion Park Library, museum and community centre to collect data on malicious damage, which they will use to help evaluate the success of its crime prevention through environmental design project.