Burleigh MP Keeps Pre-Election Commitment

22 Jul 2013 9:17 AMMichael Hart

Burleigh MP Keeps Pre-Election Commitment

Member for Burleigh Michael Hart MP today confirmed a ground breaking agreement that will see the Department of Corrective Services (DCS) working with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to clean up graffiti in Burleigh.

Following the representations of Mr Hart on behalf of local Neighbourhood Watch members, Neal Hammond and Allan Howard, for this partnership to occur, persons under a community service order will be transported and supervised to locations for cleaning each week.

“This is a win for common sense and a great outcome for Burleigh residents, and there will be benefits for government as well. This program reduces the pressure on maintenance budgets and improves the appearance of our community. ”, said Mr Hart.

“Going into the election, we made a commitment to be tough on crime and offenders. Putting this program in place supports the pledge we made and ensures offenders are made to repay their debt to the community.”

The first site for removal is on the reverse side of noise barriers near the Bermuda Street and Christine Avenue intersection, which is scheduled to begin before the end of this month.

Graffiti cleanup costs head towards approximately $2 million each year and hit the pocket of all taxpayers. With limited budget to remove and prevent graffiti, this solution is a win for everyone.

Previous Government didn’t put this in place because they either couldn’t or wouldn’t look to overcome the workplace health and safety issues they hid behind.

The Newman Government plans to monitor this program on a regular basis and its success may lead to expansion in other areas where appropriate.

Mr Hart said that innovative programs like this that benefit the whole community will be an important element of the Newman Government’s ethos going forward.

Anyone witnessing graffiti in Burleigh can go to https://curo.im/~michaelhartmp/graffiti-watch-burleigh-heads or should call the Gold Coast City Council’s hotline on (07) 5581 7998 or email graffiti@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 19 July 2013

Contact:               Burleigh Electorate Office – 5526 6024 Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm