Graffiti Removal Day is about taking pride in our local neighbourhood by removing and preventing graffiti.

There has never been a better time for locals to get involved, roll up their sleeves and improve our community by volunteering in this year's Graffiti Removal Day on Sunday 28 March.

I urge everyone to save the date in their calendars and to comply with essential COVID Safe guidelines while taking part in this great annual event.

Illegal graffiti is not only a blight on the beauty and character of our local communities, it's also very costly. Illegal graffiti costs the state more than $300 million in clean-up expenses each year, which is just remarkable.

These are vital funds that the government would much prefer to spend on our police, healthcare workers, teachers, and other dedicated frontline workers that support our state each day.

Since we began in 2012, volunteers have removed more than 141,000sqm of graffiti, saving the community $10.4 million.

To get involved or to nominate a clean-up site, go to: graffitiremovalday.org.au.

Don't become COVID 19 complacent

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge us and as restrictions are eased, I urge everybody not to become complacent.

With the roll out of the vaccine now underway, we still have a long way to go until we get back to normal.

Please continue to be socially distant and make good hygiene a priority. And if you have any flu-like symptoms, please get tested and help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Community Grant alert

Throughout the year there are many grant opportunities for local organisations and sporting groups. In order to keep you informed about funding programs I need to know the details of your association.

I encourage you to provide the Port Macquarie Electorate office with your organisation's details by calling 6584 0977 or sending a message via my website: lesliewilliams.com.au.