Getting really rough on graffiti

Credit: Gemma Jones The Daily Telegraph
THIS is how the NSW Government plans to tackle graffiti, the scourge of Sydney property owners.

Brightly-coloured doorways, vandalism-resistant surfaces and walls covered by plants are how our city's public buildings will look in the future - with hopefully not a spraypainted tag or obscenity to be seen.

The plan is aimed to reduce access to vertical walls through "design and landscaping", the use of graffiti-resistant surfaces and coatings, bright colours that discourage vandals and lighting and security surveillance.

The Government has issued artist's impressions of buildings covered in grass. Wire mesh would hold the grass and soil in place.

It is the latest measure from the Government after teens were banned from carrying spray cans and jail terms for graffiti offences were increased.

Planning Minister Tony Kelly said the provisions had been released as part of a review of the Infrastructure State Environmental Planning Policy and would be on public exhibition until April 12.

"They are based on world-renowned crime prevention principles," he said.

He said graffiti cost NSW an estimated $100 million each year and the measures would make it hard for vandals to make their work stick.