Off The Wall: Fighting graffiti with graffiti

With the recent revelation of the NSW state government spending $15 million (annually) on cleaning up graffiti, it's a wonder why a solution hasn't come earlier.

Three young Sydney-siders believe they have the answer - although some may find it controversial. The gang comprises of a youth worker, art therapist and graffiti artist.

A GP from Bondi Junction in Sydney's eastern suburbs has called upon the three to 'spray paint' the wall of her practice.

The Doctor believes that by giving permission for young people to spray her wall with graffiti she will reduce the chances of it occurring again - and she has control over what the wall will look like.

Government officials are calling for tougher laws regarding graffiti offenders at a younger age.

One of the young people involved in this initiative, Matt Noffs of the Ted Noffs Foundation, says "This is exactly the kind of policy that fills detention centres with young people who don't deserve to be there... it ends up costing tax payers even more money."

Hannah Grace, another one of the three involved in the Bondi Junction project believes "graffiti becomes a way for young people to express their inner struggle for identity through a creative outlet. It is as though they are 'literally' responding or writing back to society. We don't condone their illegal acts but we believe young people, when giving the opportunity, can direct their energy positively."

The three organisers plan to apply the same initiative across Sydney believing it to be a true crime prevention project.

Graffiti artist Ioannis Benardos says "Surely instead of spending so much money on cleaning up graffiti and task forces it would make more sense for the money to be channelled into opportunities for young people. Shaming them only isolates them further."

The group are planning on lobbying local, state and federal government and businesses to sponsor 'legal' walls hoping to turn the current situation around.