City of Greater Geraldton mayor says antivaxxers most likely responsible for graffiti on re-asphalted road

Geraldton’s mayor believes graffiti painted on a newly resurfaced road targeting him could be linked to anti-vaxxers or the council’s decision to not open boom gates for vehicle access at Point Moore beach last month. An unknown person or group used a paint roller and white paint between Thursday and Friday last week to scrawl “Styn No More” on Willcock Drive near the Geraldton Surf Lifesaving Club. The graffiti was removed on Tuesday by scabbling, a process of reducing a concrete surface, as the road was yet to cure. City of Greater Geraldton mayor Shane Van Styn said although it was unknown who was responsible, he understood there was a large “hardcore” group of anti-vaxxers who ran protests, “trolled” social media groups and had an “eerily similar” use of language. “We’ve had a number of very strong confrontations with groups, particularly around the gates being closed at Point Moore and vaccine mandates of late, which goes over and above our normal sovereign citizen folk,” he said. “It’s disappointing that people think making political points on decisions made by council is to go and damage city infrastructure rather than attend meetings and try to be constructive.” Mr Van Styn estimated the removal cost between $1000-$2000, pending further reviews of the road due to the rough finish. He said it was “extra disappointing” that the culprits targeted a recently re-asphalted road and it appeared to be a trend across Geraldton. “It’s also been revealed in Utakarra there’s other unrelated graffiti on freshly laid roads that will be addressed,” he said. “The city spends a great deal of money sadly addressing vandalism and graffiti across Geraldton . . . there’s no need to go around damaging city infrastructure to make a point.” The incident was not reported to police.