Kiama Council has confirmed it is experiencing a rise in vandalism of our public toilets and amenities, including council's post-office box being broken into this week.
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said: "This behaviour is extremely disappointing, it costs Council and our ratepayers much-needed funds and unfairly disadvantages local users who do the right thing and wish to peacefully enjoy our parks and facilities."
Council advises any community members who have sent mail to Council this week to follow up with our Customer Service team to ensure their letters have been received.
In another recent example, Council had one of its two public bathrooms equipped with special equipment for the disabled community vandalised, with an electric hoist damaged beyond repair. Council has had to close the bathroom and is currently in the process of replacing the hoist at a cost of around $8,000. At this month's November Ordinary Meeting, Council will consider whether to re-lock these facilities with access via MLAK key.
"These incidents are not only a financial burden to Council, vandalism negatively impacts the community's access to important Council services and facilities," said Cr McDonald.
Council's Waste Coordinator and USU Delegate Darren Brennan confirmed the recent rise in vandalism across the LGA. He said: "Myself and my team are out and about every day, to check, clean and maintain our parks, toilets and other public infrastructure and there's been a real spate of vandalism in recent months. It's such a shame, as it costs Council money, it results in safety issues for my team and it can mean facilities are unusable due to damage."
CCTV systems can add to the safety and amenity of public spaces. However, as previously reported in July and in Council's August 2025 business papers, Council's CCTV along Terralong Street in Kiama is no longer working since being damaged in a storm. The system requires a full upgrade and Council is seeking grant funding to undertake this work.
This information was included in our State Government Advocacy Plan, released ahead of the recent by-election campaign.
Mayor McDonald confirmed: "Our CCTV infrastructure requires digitising, modernising and replacing. We call upon the State Government to assist us with the critical funds required to install contemporary CCTV infrastructure for the ongoing safety of our community and visitors."
