NOWRA businesses are paying thousands of dollars each month in the wake of the mounting cost of vandalism in the town, with estimates of the damage bill running as high as $250,000 a year.
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And the local community could be the big loser from the smashing sprees that are placing a heavy toll on businesses, regularly disrupting operations and sending shards of glass cascading over shop floors.
The National Australia Bank is even reconsidering the viability of a window it provides for local community groups.
Used to advertise the work of community organisations such as the Red Cross, and regularly displaying children’s artwork, the window in Junction Court has repeatedly been targeted by vandals.
National Australia Bank regional business manager Chris Benning said a sign up saying the window had been provided for community groups did not stop the vandals, and “The question needs to be asked whether we need to be footing the bill for a community window that keeps getting smashed.”
The National Australia Bank is one of several Nowra businesses which have been facing bills of more than a thousand dollars a month in smashed windows.
After forking out well in excess of $20,000 in a year repairing smashed windows, Go-Lo has turned in desperation to shutters for protection.
Store representatives said the shutters had “made a big difference”.
“They’ve been doing the job so far,” the representative said.
And with Go-Lo singing the praises of its shutters, other businesses are looking at following suit by installing shutters in an effort to stem the wanton damage caused by vandals.
Brian Warnest from B & K Camera House said he had considered shutters after spending about $6000 in the previous six months on repairing smashed windows, but had rejected the idea because of the cost when his lease was not permanent.
However Mr Warnest was looking at other measures to try and stem the damage bill, because “it can’t continue as it is”.
He said somebody had to pay the increasing damage bills, and that was coming out of the local community through reduced investment in local stores, while the viability of others businesses “is certainly marginalised”.
Mr Benning added the level of vandalism had the potential to scare away businesses looking at establishing in the area.
“Eventually it will stop businesses coming into Nowra,” he said.
Much of the vandalism is centred around Junction Court, and the mall’s days may be numbered judging by the results of a survey just completed by the Nowra CBD Promotions Committee.
The survey of businesspeople and Junction Court users found more than 80 per cent favoured abolition of the mall, according to committee chairman Greg Stephenson, opening the area back up to one-way traffic with wide footpaths.
Nowra businesses has also acted to reintroduce the security patrols which started late last year and operated for a six-month trial.
Businesses have agreed to contribute $50,000 through a special rate towards reintroducing the security patrols for a 12-month trial, with Shoalhaven City Council covering the remainder of the cost.
Mr Stephenson the patrols were not going to totally eradicate vandalism, and believed the Safer Community Action Team was “a good way to approach things”.
