Community & Business
7 July, 2023
Program set to tackle graffiti
A new program that will allow local businesses to access materials to remove graffiti has been endorsed by Mareeba Shire Council but it will only become active if a new program instigated by the Mareeba Chamber of Commerce and Sunshine Mitre 10 no longer operates.
A new program that will allow local businesses to access materials to remove graffiti has been endorsed by Mareeba Shire Council but it will only become active if a new program instigated by the Mareeba Chamber of Commerce and Sunshine Mitre 10 no longer operates.
The chamber and Mitre 10 recently announced that four litres of Accent exterior paint would be given to businesses free of charge to cover up vandalism as long as they provided a photo of the graffiti, the company’s ABN and a swatch of the colour needed.
At the same time, council was investigating taking on a model similar to Townsville City Council which provides graffiti removal kits that contain paint, gloves, goggles, overalls and masks. The program costs council $5,000 annually, with 49 applications received and 36 approved in 2021-22.
At its recent meeting, Mareeba councillors decided to adopt the new program but will put it on hold while the current program with Mitre 10 is operating.
“There have been community concerns over the extent of graffiti in Mareeba, specifically in the Byrnes Street area and while council responds as soon as practicable to remove graffiti on community facilities, we don’t have jurisdiction over the removal of graffiti on private buildings,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.
“I want to congratulate the Chamber of Commerce and Mitre 10 who have come forward to assist in this space. And we don’t want to undermine their efforts, but if that (the program) ever expires, then we’re ready to act.”
Cr Lenore Wyatt, who raised the proposal in May, said everyone appeared to be ready to act to ensure graffiti was tackled in the town.
“I think it’s all positive – we’re all playing on the same playing field, we all have concerns around graffiti and we’re all supporting it (action),” she said.
When the council program comes into effect, costs of the kits will be funded from the Mareeba Benefitted Area Fund.
