IN Lake Macquarie we are very proud of our environment and want to live in a beautiful place.
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However, like most other areas, we grapple with graffiti on community land and buildings on a daily basis.
Over the past few years, council has been more proactive in its approach to tackling graffiti, with all major developments approved across our city containing a clause that says graffiti must be removed within 72 hours of it being reported.
Council also encourages developers to consider ways to prevent vandalism and crime such as graffiti through design.
Council has a team of staff who remove graffiti from community buildings.
We've also forged a partnership with the Juvenile Justice Division of the NSW Attorney General's Office and are providing funding for young offenders to continue with graffiti removal work following the successful graffiti hotspot program in 2012.
We are also trialling a product that allows graffiti to be washed away with soap and water.
The best things about this product are that it's made by a Lake Macquarie business, and it's cheaper than other products.
If the trial is successful, we will roll it out for all new buildings across the city.
To report graffiti, call the NSW Graffiti Hotline on 1800 707 125.
For information about managing graffiti, go to lakemac.com.au/services/graffiti.
