Hundreds roll up sleeves for Graffiti Removal Day

Last published on 28 Mar 2021 

A state-wide blitz on vandalism is underway, with hundreds of people giving back to their local communities by volunteering today for Graffiti Removal Day 2021.

Attorney General Mark Speakman will today join volunteers from local Rotary Clubs to paint over graffiti in Penrith.

“It’s been a tough 12 months and now more than ever is the time to reconnect with our communities in a COVID-safe way, and prove we are stronger together,” Mr Speakman said.

“Illegal tagging costs NSW more than $300 million each year. These are vital funds that the Government would much prefer to spend on our police, teachers, and other dedicated healthcare and frontline workers that support our state each day.”

Despite recent extreme weather, nearly all Graffiti Removal Day activities are going ahead as planned. Flood-impacted communities are however encouraged to reschedule activities, with Graffiti Removal Australia extending the official site clean-up period until mid-April.

“My heart goes out to those impacted by the storms, and I thank our emergency services and volunteers who’ve risked their safety to protect communities,” Mr Speakman said.

Graffiti Removal Day calls for people to show pride in their neighborhoods by removing or preventing graffiti with clean-ups, tree-planting and mural painting.

Acclaimed Aboriginal artists Josh Nolan and James Simon will today join NRL star Josh Addo-Carr and five local young people to paint reconciliation-themed murals on industrial buildings at Emu Plains.

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock encouraged residents and community groups to give their local council a hand to improve public amenity in neighbourhoods.

“Our local councils do a great job maintaining and enhancing community amenity and Graffiti Removal Day is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to love where they live, roll up their sleeves and give them a hand,” Mrs Hancock said.

“We not only want to remove unsightly graffiti but also come up with creative and fun ideas to prevent vandalism at sites targeted regularly such as colourful murals or plants that act as ‘green screens’.”

Graffiti Removal Day Chairman Bob Aitken said this year up to 2,500 volunteers are expected to remove illegal graffiti from approximately 400 sites around NSW.

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

This year participants will include local residents and community groups such as Rotary, Scouts NSW, Girl Guides NSW & ACT, Air Force Cadets and the NSW Police.

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