Mr Bennett’s comments come in the wake of a report on Tuesday tabled to councillors detailing the extensive cost graffiti and vandalism places on the local government body’s budget.

Graffiti cost ratepayers some $6200 alone in the three month period of August through to October. In total, council forked out more than $10,500 repairing damaged and defaced assets – which ranged from broken toilet seats to fires.

Other cited incidents included damaged sign posts, broken glass at bus shelters, graffiti and ransacked toilet blocks.

The report indicates vandalism has cost council just shy of $40,000 this calendar year.

Mr Bennett admitted those costs were far too high. He’s confident council staff and police can curb the problem, however.

“It’s always disappointing that this sort of thing happens,” he explained.

“But the reality is, we’re going to beat it. We’re going to keep fighting it and keep cleaning it up.

“Hopefully the people that are doing it grow up a bit.”

Mr Bennett said council staff had protocol to follow.

“We try and get rid of it within 24 hours of it appearing and we’ll work with the police to find out who the offenders are, and work with them,” he added.

News of the budget blow won’t diminish optimism surrounding council’s CBD upgrade.

Already staff have planted and safe guarded trees throughout Auburn Street. They this month began night work to pave the eastern footpath of the block between Clifford and Market Streets.

Work will continue throughout the coming months, Mr Bennett assured.

“Certainly, the tiles will start being laid on Thursday [tomorrow] night. At the same time we’ll be putting street furniture in and tree guards as well,” he said.

“Then hopefully in the next week or so we’ll get the raised garden beds in. The next stretch will be from Montague to Verner Street.”

Councillors in September committed $400,000 to upgrade Goulburn’s city centre.