Port Macquarie Hastings Council is seeking community feedback on a plan to deter graffiti vandals by prioritising public artwork sites across the municipality.
In May, Council endorsed a Graffiti and Vandalism Reward Scheme Policy, which provides a framework to prevent, address, reduce and mitigate against graffiti.
Part of the approach is the installation of murals on repeatedly targeted sites, as research has shown these can greatly reduce occurrences of graffiti – given they deter offenders and improve streetscapes, Council said in a statement today.
The Council wants to hear from the community about council-owned or managed sites in their area that are being hit repeatedly by graffiti.
Council Group Manager Community, Lucilla Marshall says once staff have a list of potential mural sites, they can seek funding to transform some of these areas.
“We want our region to be beautiful, safe and welcoming,” she said.
“So we are looking for sites situated in highly visible locations that visually detract from our spaces and places when they are vandalised.
“We can then prioritise these sites in our efforts to transform them from blank canvases for graffiti – to an awesome new artwork that enhances our public place and environment.”
For further information and to provide feedback, visit Have Your Say platform. Submissions are open until 15 January 2023.
