Helen Hoban is the secretary of the Lake Cathie Progress Association and said the graffiti was disgusting behaviour.

"It's very sad for the situation to have happened at the sporting complex or anywhere for that matter," she said.

"I hope the culprits are caught."

A spokesperson from NSW Police said the incident took place sometime between Friday, August 21 at 8am and Monday, August 24 at 12pm.

The sporting complex on Ocean Drive, Lake Cathie was spray painted by an unknown number of people.

Some Lake Cathie residents have called for a greater police presence to help track down potential suspects in relation to vandalism.

However, Ms Hoban said it would be impossible for police to have eyes everywhere across a 24 time frame.

"These people are quite cunning," she said.

Ms Hoban hopes penalties for culprits can become harsher but she said it's difficult to catch the perpetrators in the first instance.

"If they do catch them they should be made to clean it with a toothbrush," she said.

Lake Cathie Fishing Club secretary Terry McDermott said CCTV could be implemented at various locations in the region to help catch vandals.

Mr McDermott would like there to be harsher penalties for people who choose to vandalise property and for them to be named within the community.

"These people have no respect for what is supplied for them within the community," he said.

"I don't understand the mentality of those people who get involved in that destruction behaviour."

Police are continuing to investigate and anyone with information is urged to contact them.

To report information in relation to the graffiti incident, please contact Port Macquarie Police on 6583 0199.

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