Mayor speaks out after vandalism spree forces closures

Lismore City Council has been forced to close and restrict access to several public facilities due to ongoing vandalism and antisocial behaviour across the region.

Mayor Steve Krieg said repeated incidents, including graffiti, smashed fixtures and break-ins, were placing increasing pressure on council resources and disrupting essential community services.

Public toilets at Dawson Street, Heritage Park, the Transit Centre and Nimbin have all been affected, with some facilities forced to close temporarily or operate under reduced hours.

In one incident, a shopping trolley was pushed into the Heritage Park facility and set alight.

The council said the extent of damage means amenities are often rendered unusable shortly after repairs, creating safety risks and driving up ongoing maintenance costs.

“Council has invested significantly to ensure public amenities were upgraded across our city following the 2022 flood events, with 23 public toilet upgrades completed or underway,” Krieg said.

“These upgrades are about providing safe, clean and accessible facilities for our community and visitors. It is incredibly disappointing to see some of these assets damaged shortly after upgrades are completed.

The Transit Centre toilets have been among the hardest hit and will remain closed until further notice while council assesses repair needs and long-term management options.

Other locations, including Dawson Sreet, Heritage Park and Nimbin, have also been repeatedly targeted, in some cases shortly after being repaired.

The council is now reviewing how facilities are managed in response to the ongoing incidents, including adjusting operating hours and considering additional protective measures.

Cr Krieg said the financial burden of vandalism ultimately falls on the community.

“Vandalism of public amenities costs councils thousands of dollars per incident. These are funds that would otherwise go toward maintaining infrastructure and delivering other community services,” he said.

“These are shared community assets. When they are damaged, everyone is affected.”

“Security patrols and CCTV are not always effective in preventing repeat damage, particularly where incidents occur quickly or overnight, and they come at a significant cost.”

“Closing or reducing hours is a short-term measure to protect assets while longer-term solutions are developed. We also continue to work in collaboration with police at affected sites.”

Operating hours at several locations will be reviewed, with some amenities expected to close earlier in the evening.

Hours may be extended during major community events where appropriate.

Residents are urged to report any antisocial or criminal behaviour to the NSW Police.