{"id":182227,"date":"2025-03-04T17:43:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T07:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=182227"},"modified":"2025-03-04T14:46:01","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T04:46:01","slug":"swan-hill-rural-city-council-broadcasts-classical-music-in-public-toilets-to-deter-loitering-vandalism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=182227","title":{"rendered":"Swan Hill Rural City Council broadcasts classical music in public toilets to deter loitering, vandalism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
In an effort to deter loitering and reduce opportunities for antisocial behaviour, a council in Victoria is piping out the likes of Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons at a public toilet block in its central business district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The move by Swan Hill Rural City Council follows a noticeable spike in property damage at the busy facilities in recent months, prompting authorities to investigate proactive and creative solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The council’s infrastructure director, Leah Johnston, said the vandalism had included “toilet rolls and soap dispensers being pulled off walls, extensive graffiti, fires and toilet seats being damaged”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
“In 2023 we recorded about 10 incidents, but in 2024 we are already at 10 incidents. Therefore, we are seeing a trend that it is increasing,”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
she said.<\/p>\n\n\n
\nPublic toilets on McCallum Street in Swan Hill. (ABC News: Francesco Salvo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Crime data released last week showed the Swan Hill local government area reported 752 acts of property damage per 100,000 people last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The figure sat well above the state average of 509 incidents per 100,000 Victorians during the same reporting period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It is a significant cost to our ratepayers to have to go out to sites and have them repaired, due to poor behaviour of a small number of individuals,” Ms Johnston said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The council plans to trial the classical music initiative for six months before deciding whether it is continued or potentially expanded to other crime hotspots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ms Johnston said although it was still early days, the scheme appeared to be working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
“Since the music has been playing, which is now in the order of three to four weeks, we have seen a dramatic reduction [in antisocial behaviour],”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
she said.<\/p>\n\n\n
\nClassical music is played in London’s train stations at the discretion of staff. (AP: Alberto Pezzali)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Tchaikovsky on the Tube<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Playing classical music in public spaces to dissuade antisocial behaviour has been a tried-and-tested strategy used around the world for decades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
London Underground authorities implemented the measure at Elm Park station on the District line in 2003 following similar schemes carried out by other UK rail operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During an initial 18-month trial, a significant reduction in crime was reportedly achieved, with vandalism offences decreasing by 37 per cent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/image_2025-03-04_154408526.png\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/image_2025-03-04_154357626.png\")