Expressions of Interest are now open to artists and designers to design and install mural artworks, to transform sites that are repeatedly impacted by graffiti.
Port Macquarie Hastings Council successfully applied for funding from the NSW Governments Graffiti Management Grant fund to deliver a number of murals across the local government area – in a bid to deter offenders and improve our streetscapes.
Recently, PMHC asked the community to nominate sites across our region that are repeatedly targeted by graffiti and which would make a great spot for a mural.
The sites put forward by the community were shortlisted – with the following sites selected to receive a mural installation in Stage 1 of the project:
Site 1 – Buller St underpass & Site 2 – Gordon St underpass
These sites sit in the newly completed first stage of the much-anticipated Bicentennial Walkway project from the William St Bridge to Kooloonbung Nature Reserve.
Site 3 – John Downes’ Reserve amenities block
This highly visible and utilised reserve in the John Downes Reserve sits high above Nobby’s and Shelley Beaches. The building is regularly hit with tags and graffiti, requiring regular cleaning and maintenance.
In May 2022, Council endorsed the Graffiti Vandalism Management Policy that provides an effective framework to prevent, address, reduce and mitigate against graffiti.
Group Manager Community Lucilla Marshall said Graffiti vandalism has a direct and immediate impact on the community – by reducing the social amenity of public spaces, creating visual pollution and leading to increased fear for personal security.
“The installation of murals on repeatedly targeted sites can greatly reduce the occurrences of graffiti, deter offenders and improve streetscapes. Not to mention grow the skill base of our regions artists both established and emerging!”
“We recognise that graffiti vandalism is an increasingly prevalent social problem that causes serious damage to property and imposes significant repair and removal costs for Council, businesses and private citizens.”
Expressions of Interest are now open to artists and designers to design and install site specific mural artworks to transform these sites that are repeatedly impacted by graffiti.
