Wellington graffiti gets the brush-off

Council starts clean up before World Cup

Craig Simcox/ THE DOMINION POST

EYESORE: Richard Keelan undertakes a a trial removal of graffiti in an alley from Wellington's Ghuznee St to the Left Bank Arcade at the start of an inner-city cleanup. It is likely the alley will be simply painted over then gated.

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A blitz on Wellington's graffiti hotspots has been launched in an attempt to clean up the city ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Wellington City Council workers yesterday started removing graffiti in a lane that links Ghuznee St with the Left Bank.

CitiOperations manager Mike Mendonca said the lane was an "eyesore which attracted the wrong people" and one of the city's most heavily hit tagging spots. "It became a bit of an urban myth that tagging in there was appreciated by the building owners. It's not."

The building owners, in conjunction with the city council and police, have long held concerns about the state and safety of that area, he said.

"The owners have decided to gate the lane off indefinitely. In return we said we will get rid of the graffiti so there is a positive outcome for everyone."

Cleaning crews will also target parts of Cuba Mall to blast away dirt, remove graffiti and stickers, touch up paint, and improve the look of gardens and street furniture.

Other tagging hotspots to be tackled in the coming months include Majoribanks St, Kent and Cambridge terraces, Webb St, Torrens Tce, Upper Cuba St and Ebor St.

"We do want our city to look good for the Rugby World Cup."

There has been significant support from business owners, who have pledged to continue keeping the areas clean using removal kits provided by the council, Mr Mendonca said.

"We have already issued about 600 of our free graffiti removal kits. They are in hot demand."

Each kit contains graffiti remover, sponges and brushes, and an information brochure with tips on how to continue to keep their premises clean.

Homeowners can also get a free kit from the council service centre in Wakefield St.

- © Fairfax NZ News