posted on February 20, 2010 15:05
NSW residents are being urged to pick up a brush and cleaning products and take part in Australia's first graffiti action day.
Graffiti Action Day will be held on Sunday May 2, NSW Attorney-General John Hatzistergos said today.
"We are sending a clear message to graffiti vandals that law abiding residents of NSW will not tolerate their criminal behaviour," Mr Hatzistergos said.
"Graffiti Action Day will put the power back in the hands of the community."
Mr Hatzistergos said everyone can lend a hand, including councils, schools, community groups, individuals and businesses.
Keep Australia Beautiful NSW and councils will identify key graffiti clean-up sites and volunteers will be assigned to a site closest to them.
Volunteers will be fully briefed in techniques for safe and effective graffiti removal and provided with personal protection equipment and refreshments
Penalties for graffiti vandalism recently doubled to 12 months in prison, Mr Hatzistergos said.
"Graffiti costs the NSW economy millions of dollars each year and the NSW Government is determined to make it harder for vandals to commit this senseless crime," he said.
Keep Australia Beautiful NSW estimates that councils in NSW spend an average of $100,000 a year to clean up graffiti.
Campbelltown Council alone spent $280,000 on cleaning up graffiti last year while the City of Sydney spends more than a million, Keep Australia Beautiful chief executive Peter McLean said.