Graffiti vandals cost the Illawarra more than $416,000 last year, according to council data.
Wollongong City Council figures show that in addition to regular maintenance, $306,384 was spent to remove graffiti from council assets in 2009, while Shellharbour City Council spent about $110,000 on graffiti removal and education programs.
That money could have put seven first-year probationary police on the beat or eight first-year registered nurses to work in the wards of Wollongong Hospital, or provided enough funding for a new state-of-the-art fire tanker.
EDITORIAL: Writing on the wall in battle to stop graffitiHundreds of man-hours have also been wasted as council workers repair graffiti-damaged areas.
After opening in December last year, the Northern Distributor extension has become the latest public area to fall victim to graffiti artists.
The $110 million project was the result of years of planning and construction, but vandals took just hours to deface noise barriers bordering a section of the extension at Woonona this week.
A 400m stretch of the barriers was "tagged" sometime on Monday, but further checks by the Mercury just 24 hours later revealed that nearly every concrete panel had been spray-painted with symbols and tags, transforming the barriers into an eyesore for passing motorists and residents.
One such motorist was Coledale resident Tom Christofides, who said the graffiti was unacceptable and the culprits should be made to understand the consequences.
"These people can't get away with this, they have to be caught and made to pay," he said.
"If the community has zero tolerance, if the media puts it out there, we can do something about it," he said.
An RTA spokeswoman said the defaced noise barriers would be repainted within two weeks, and repair work would cost taxpayers $2000 a day.
Wollongong City Council community partnerships and safety co-ordinator Armando Reviglio said the council was working to prevent graffiti and highlighted mural projects at Bellambi surf club and Coledale's Sharkeys Beach as examples of community action against vandalism.
But Mr Reviglio said the council's fight against graffiti depended on community assistance. He urged people to report any graffiti to either the council or police.
CRIME COSTS
To report graffiti:
Wollongong City Council Graffiti Reporting Line: 4227 7816
Police Assistance Line: 131 444
Penalties:
I ndividuals found guilty of graffiti offences can face fines of up to $2200 or six months' imprisonment, while possessing graffiti implements with an intent to deface property can attract fines of up to $1100 or three months' imprisonment.
"The community is often unsure what to do, but it is a crime. People need to report it," he said.
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