Government funding for Waitaki Graffiti Eradication Programme

The Waitaki District Council’s Community Safety Officer has been granted $20,000 in Government funding, to develop and implement a Graffiti eradication and education programme.

The project will focus on restoration, education, and prevention and is expected to be up and running by the end of August. Waitaki Community Safety Officer Alison Banks said it was an excellent opportunity to fully develop the Graffiti project that has been in the pipe line for over a year. Oamaru Police Intelligence staff and the Waitaki District Council have been collecting data on graffiti for a number of years and will develop a profile data base of the tagging and taggers.

The funding that has been granted will be used to remove graffiti from public places. The Severn Street Bridge and lower Thames Street Bridge will have graffiti removed, and lighting will be reinstated under one of theses bridges. Walkways and public places will be targeted for graffiti removal next.

A graffiti policy pack will be developed and offered to businesses that sell spray cans. Graffiti Removal Packs will be available to the community to report and remove graffiti off businesses or private property. “Together with Police we will be working with Local businesses, Resene and the Community Clean Up Project to get this programme up and running and to crack down on this type of public nuisances” Community Safety Officer Alison Banks said.

Graffiti vandalism is a huge issue in many communities, costing some local authorities one million dollars a year. The Waitaki District Council has a 24 hour removal policy and works with Whitestone Contracting Limited and the Community Clean Up Project to meet this timeframe.

The Waitaki District was fortunate to receive funding from the government for the Graffiti eradication and education initiative. Applications for government funding were received to the value of $5 million – with only $1 million available in total. “I think our application was successful because we have a strong proud community that does not tolerate this type of vandalism. We have also formed well established community partnerships and networks that will assist in the projects success,” said Alison Banks