Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has completed an audit of graffiti vandalism across the region and notified police

The latest spree of mindless graffiti vandalism that has been thoughtlessly smeared on public property right across Port Macquarie leaves you shaking your head.

The latest array of unintelligent tagging has left a trail along Port Macquarie's popular Coastal Walk and defaced some of the region's popular public art installations including Rick Reynolds' installation at Windmill Hill.

Folly was installed in 2005 at the Windmill Hill Reserve.

Folly (a Grecian garden feature) is a play on the original name of the area, being Gillman's Folly. The artwork represents the wooden shaft and stone grinding wheels of the windmill which once stood on the site on Pacific Drive.

The vandalism is expected to be cleaned off by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council by the end of the week.

Council's acting group manager Hayley Owen said an audit of the graffiti spree across town has been completed and police have been notified.

"We are very aware of the increasing graffiti vandalism in the community and have been working with police and other organisations to try and tackle the issue together," Ms Owen said.

"We keep records of the tags that have been reported and these are made available to the police when they are requested.

"Our community spaces are to be appreciated as places to connect, be active, and enjoy the beautiful place we live in.

"It is extremely disappointing to see the increase of graffiti tarnishing our towns, and it takes both our crews and the local police away from other pressing matters."

Ms Owen said it is important for members of the public to report graffiti vandalism so council can action its removal swiftly.

You can report graffiti and find more information here Graffiti Management - Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (nsw.gov.au).

Council has a Graffiti Blaster volunteer program where volunteers work on a rotating roster, giving their time cleaning, removing, and painting over graffiti vandalism in the community.

This program however is on hold currently due to COVID.

Council also has its own teams to target vandalism depending on the location of the graffiti, and will remove tags from council-owned property.

Any graffiti vandalism located on private property, or a business, is the responsibility of the property owner to remove.

Unfortunately the majority of the graffiti in the community at present is on private property.

Council offers free graffiti removal kits to residents.

Graffiti is classified as malicious damage and can also carry an unlawful entry charge if the perpetrator commits the offence on private property.

Register your interest in council's Graffiti Blaster Program or request a Graffiti Removal kit on council's website pmhc.nsw.gov.au

What else is making news?

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

What else is making news?

Tracey Fairhurst

Get the latest Port Macquarie news in your inbox