NEWS RELEASE – Wellington City Councillor, Paul Eagle

7 December 2015

Community graffiti champions launched

Wellington City Council has stepped up its zero tolerance to graffiti policy with the launch of ‘Blank It Out’ - a volunteer-based graffiti removal programme.

Based on Christchurch City Council's successful “Off the Wall” scheme, the community initiative involves "graffiti guardians" in the fight against the persistent problem.

South Wellington Councillor Paul Eagle, chair of the council committee responsible for city safety says community ownership and pride were key drivers behind the programme.

“For zero tolerance to work, we need a community-led approach. That means working together with local businesses and residents, key groups and our contractor to give consistent advice on how to tackle graffiti effectively.

“‘Blank It Out’ will make it simple for people to volunteer. People can commit to activities ranging reporting graffiti, to coordinating local removal projects.”

Balloons, caps and booklets were handed out with a special cake cut to celebrate the launch at the Newtown School Markets.

An independent audit in 2013/14 found the city's response to graffiti "barely adequate", which prompted the council to adopt a tough new approach to get rid of tagging and other graffiti from public and private property around the city in February 2014.

An extra $100,000 was added by Cr Eagle to the existing graffiti budget to fund the initiative.

Cr Eagle said the launch coincided with International Day of the Volunteer and the recently revamped “Keep Newtown Clean” day, the local graffiti eradication event now held quarterly to help beautify the south Wellington suburb of Newtown.

“Newtown has been transformed since the community initiated the idea 2 years ago. Prompt removal is the most effective way of managing graffiti vandalism – and it promotes a sense of ownership and how safe people feel about their neighbourhood.”

People wanting to find out more about the programme can contact council’s Graffiti Volunteer Coordinator, Lola Liava’a-Tonga, on 04 499 444, e-mail:graffiti@wcc.govt.nz or register online at: wellington.govt.nz/blankitout to complete the appropriate form.

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