Over recent months, Council has responded to more than 100 incidents involving vandalism, fires, break-ins and anti-social behaviour, resulting in an estimated $80,000 in damage to public infrastructure and facilities. Incidents have included damage to public toilets, recreation areas, sporting facilities, parks and other community assets.
Mayor Freshney said while the financial cost to ratepayers is significant, the impact on Council resources and the broader community is even greater.
"The financial cost is only part of the story. Every incident requires staff time to investigate, make facilities safe, clean up damage, organise repairs and restore amenities for public use."
"Our teams take pride in maintaining and improving parks, sporting facilities, public amenities and community spaces. Increasingly, however, they are being forced to spend their time repairing damage that should never have occurred in the first place."
"Every hour spent cleaning up vandalism is an hour that cannot be spent improving community facilities or delivering other services that benefit residents."
Recent incidents have highlighted the growing extent of the problem across the municipality.
Public toilet facilities at Bosworth Park, Kings Park and the Addison Reserve Skate Park have been repeatedly vandalised, with damage including smashed fixtures, broken seats, vandalised plumbing, graffiti, fire damage and damaged baby change facilities. Council crews have been required to repair some facilities multiple times.
Council has also experienced damage to sporting fields caused by vehicles being driven onto playing surfaces, resulting in costly turf repairs and restoration works.
Most concerning was the significant vandalism discovered at the Latrobe Cemetery this week. Multiple headstones and memorial structures were found damaged or displaced, causing distress for families and considerable concern within the community. The matter has been reported to Tasmania Police.
Mayor Freshney said the cemetery damage was particularly disappointing.
"The recent damage at the Latrobe Cemetery is deeply concerning. Cemeteries are places of remembrance where families come to honour and reflect on the lives of loved ones."
"To see headstones damaged and memorials disturbed is distressing for many members of our community. This behaviour not only creates repair costs, but also causes emotional harm to families and undermines the respect that should be shown to these important community places."
Mayor Freshney said that ultimately the burden of vandalism is carried by the community.
"Whether it is a cemetery, sporting ground, park, public toilet or recreation facility, these are community assets that belong to all of us. When they are vandalised, the whole community pays the price."
"The money spent responding to vandalism, along with the significant amount of staff time required to deal with it, could be used to deliver improvements and new projects that enhance our municipality."
Mayor Freshney encouraged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour.
"We have a community that takes great pride in our municipality and I know many residents are equally frustrated by the increasing level of vandalism we are seeing."
"If you witness vandalism, anti-social behaviour or suspicious activity, please report it. Community support plays an important role in helping protect the facilities and spaces we all value."
Residents who witness vandalism or suspicious behaviour are encouraged to contact Tasmania Police on 131444 . Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000.
Latrobe Council will continue to work with Tasmania Police and other agencies where appropriate while exploring measures to better protect community assets and reduce future incidents.