It's time to rub out ugly urban scrawl
Article by Leo Schofield

When, oh when, will some authority take action to stem the rising tide of graffiti threatening to engulf us? No corner of this great city appears to have escaped.

Clowns with nothing but fresh air keeping their ears apart have defaced every nook and cranny of Sydney, public and private, often with official approval as in the case of the so-called "graffiti wall" at Bondi Beach, an eyesore if I ever saw one.

There is another example of this official endorsment of vandalism out Erko way. Some time ago, Newtown Police and Community Youth Club's management declared the back of the Erskineville Rd building a space where so-called graffiti artists could express themselves.

Youths from all over Sydney are now travelling to the area with their spray cans and, although there have been no direct threats from these homeboys, residents are feeling intimidated by the presence of a dozen or so yobs with spray cans and the area has become a no-go zone for locals.

The idea of a dedicated graffiti wall is not exactly appropriate to a residential area but, in any case, the "artwork" has not been confined to the wall.

The entire building is now totally covered in graffiti to the roofline, much of it obscene, and, having run out of space, the spray gangs have begun tagging houses backing on to the lane, wheelie bins, nearby houses, even the road surface.

Flaots in the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras are made in an old warehouse next next to the PCYC and the year before last, in an attempt to stem the graffiti, the building was painted white with a blue stencil pattern.

All to no avail. Despite the best efforts of the GLMG people, the building has once again become an eyesore because of creeping graffiti. Time for South Sydney Council to pull its finger out

. A reader reports on a recent visit to Mitchell Prak in Adelaide where they were astonished not only by spruce streets and spotless parks but by the total absence of graffiti. Apparently, the Marion Council has a 24-hour graffiti hotline.

As soon as graffiti appears it is removed.