Graffiti Removal

Graffiti is vandalism and it impacts on our community both socially and financially.

Quick removal is the most effective way to prevent graffiti from reappearing as it shows that the affected area is being monitored and looked after.

Graffiti Removal Advice

Graffiti can be removed by:

  • painting over it
  • using chemical removal products (seek advice from Council or a hardware or paint store)
  • using high pressure water blasting.

When choosing a removal method, consider the surface affected, type of graffiti paint or pen used and the age of the graffiti. 

Managing Graffiti on Council Property and Council Assets

Council has an endorsed procedure which provides a framework to guide Council in managing Graffiti on or within its assets within the Cessnock LGA. It outlines Council’s role and responsibilities in relation to the removal of illegal Graffiti. Council is committed to working with the community to ensure our centres, streets and public spaces are safe, inviting and support a positive image of our towns and villages across the LGA.

The Procedure can be downloaded here(DOCX, 133KB).

Council’s Graffiti Incident Register can be downloaded here(XLSX, 167KB).

Report Graffiti

Where property belonging to you or another person is intentionally damaged, destroyed or graffitied and the intention is deliberate, malicious or reckless, this can be reported online via the NSW Police Community Portal Intentional Damage & Graffiti webpage or by calling the NSW Police Assistance Line on 131 444

To notify Council of Graffiti on or at one of it’s facilities, you can do this online here or by calling Council’s Customer Relations Team on 4993 4100.

Managing Graffiti on Private Property

If you have been the victim of graffiti on your private property you should report the incident to the NSW Police via the Police Assistance Line 131 444 or via the NSW Police Community Portal Intentional Damage & Graffiti webpage prior to removing the graffiti. Reporting graffiti to the Police is an important step as it allows the Police to have a true reflection of how much graffiti is occurring in the area. It also helps Police identify the correct victims if someone with a particular ‘tag’ is identified and dealt with.

It is the responsibility of the property owner or occupier to remove graffiti on private property (this includes residential, commercial, and industrial premises).