Clean-up home and hosed
Graffiti crews given power to enter properties
GOLD Coast residents will have graffiti removal teams enter their properties to clean up front yards in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games.
Councillors at a full council meeting have signed off on a review of community service programs which will extend the powers of graffiti clean-up.
Deputy Mayor Donna Gates confirmed that previously the council was limited to cleaning front yards if workers could get access from the footpath.
“We have had the ability to do so from council infrastructure – if we could stand on the footpath and reach the graffiti,” Cr Gates said.
“This will extend those powers. Council will do an additional sweep (of properties) in the lead-up to the Games.
“Any graffiti that’s visible and damaging to our city’s reputation will be removed.”
The hot spots are likely to be the Pacific Motorway and along Smith Street where athletes, visitors and fans will make regular trips next April.
A council agenda paper revealed the city was spending $1.1 million in 2006-07 on graffiti removal but that amount has decreased to about $949,000 in 2016-17 as a program expanded using youth offenders. The council is responding to more than 7000 requests each year with the worst jobs given the highest priority.
Residents who receive a notice to have graffiti removed will have 14 days to clean up their property or justify that “these markings-art have been commissioned with your permission”.
Graffiti removal officers will have the power to enter properties and bring with them the necessary staff and equipment.
Asked about costs, Cr Gates indicated that the Games clean-up program would meet the current budget arrangements, which allows for extra costs of more than $300,000.
The council report said about 12 sites located on the Games Route Network along high traffic areas had been identified. Cr Gates acknowledged that council would be working with the State Government, which was responsible for the M1.
The Bulletin has received complaints from Nerang residents about the state of the highway which will be the entry point for overseas visitors arriving for the event. Developer Ian McLean has been critical of the Transport Department after native trees had died, only to be replaced by weeds.