Frustrated local business owners will be given the opportunity to voice their concerns over ongoing issues of vandalism and antisocial behaviour at a public forum to be held next week.
Yass Valley Council will hold a public meeting on Thursday February 18 at the request of the local business community, which has mobilised following a recent spate of reckless damage, break-ins and theft.
The call for action has this week gained momentum after a number of businesses in Comur Street were again targeted by vandals at the weekend (see police report page 3).
A petition - carrying the signatures of up to 50 local business owners - requesting a public meeting be called was presented to Yass Valley mayor Nic Carmody just hours before the last council meeting on January 27.
"We, the undersigned, as representatives of the local business community, respectfully request that you in your capacity as mayor call a public meeting so that community concern at the growing incidence of lawlessness, antisocial behaviour and vandalism in Yass, can be discussed in an appropriate forum," the petition said.
General Manager David Rowe said the objective of the public meeting, which will be held at the Yass Memorial Hall at 6pm on February 18, is to provide a forum for exchange of information between the community, council and police.
"This will provide a greater understanding of the issues for all parties and will assist the development of any future community safety strategies," he said.
Mayor Carmody hopes the meeting will provide a way forward. "It will be a good opportunity for business owners to meet with council staff and councillors to discuss not only vandalism but also other issues that are concerning them," mayor Carmody said.
"I really hope we can achieve something. I hope we can find a way forward."
Owner of Bob Rogers Clothing Store, Merissa Watchorn, has twice been the victim of vandalism and theft this year. She wants the public meeting to kick start a genuine conversation between business owners and community leaders about the issues facing the town.
"We need to put our heads together and our thoughts forward," Mrs Watchorn said.
While there are no easy solutions to the multi-faceted problem of antisocial behaviour, a public forum is a good place to start, said another Comur Street business owner who did not wish to be named.
"Vandalism and antisocial behaviour affects all of us in one way or another but there is no one solution to the problem. I would like to see the community come together and find solutions as a community. A lot of things need to happen but the public meeting is a start. It's a conversation that needs to happen," the business owner said.
Yass Chamber of Commerce President Rod Easton agrees: he says the entire community is being forced to pay the price.
"It's costing the businesses as well as costing the council and it's time we made some decisions."
Councillor and small business owner, Allan McGrath, who has been a sounding board for many residents, urges all those with grievances to air them next week.
"There is a lot of concern in the community - both from the business community and the wider community - and this public meeting will hopefully provide an opportunity for people to let their concerns be known.
"I have been fielding a whole litany of complaints from people and it's opened my eyes. They are at the end of their tether and want something done about it."
Burrinjuck MP Katrina Hodgkinson told the Tribune she was disappointed she could not attend the meeting due to prior commitments in another part of the electorate. Ms Hodgkinson received a copy of the petition late last month and has since responded to each of the signatories listed.
"I share your concerns. My office has also been the target of wanton vandalism. As an initial measure I have already written to the Officer in Charge of the Yass Police Station, Inspector Lisa Carr, asking that she arrange for more patrols in Yass during the time that this vandalism is occurring," Ms Hodgkinson said in her letter.
"This should not however be taken as a criticism of Yass Police, I have the highest respect for their integrity and devotion to duty. The real problem lies with the failure of the State Labor government to provide sufficient resources for policing in regional areas."
Inspector Lisa Carr confirmed representatives from the Goulburn Local Area Command would be attending the public forum next week.
She said officers were interested in hearing the community's views and hoped to be given an opportunity to respond to their concerns while informing residents about the strategies police have implemented to address the issues the town is currently experiencing.
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