A press release stated
the program was for “in and around” the building.
However, when Central
approached Housing NSW about evidence graffiti was still present weeks after
the program started, a spokesman said the program was only for inside the building.
“The pilot focused on the inside of the building where there was a high
level of graffiti,” he said.
When asked to clarify
the differing stories, the spokesman said a mistake had been made and the
minister’s statements were not correct.
The spokesman said
graffiti outside the building was left for Sydney Council to remove.
A council spokesman
said: “As a courtesy, if graffiti appears on a wall of a building that
directly abuts the Street, the city will clean it.”Ultimately it’s the responsibility
of property owners to maintain their own land.”
Resident spokesman Ross Smith said residents were sick of “cynical
publicity stunts”. “We had a great announcement and they said
graffiti inside and outside the building would be targeted and removed, but all
this graffiti Is still here and neither the minister nor the department have a
clue what is going on.”
Picture: Phil Rogers – Ross Smith is angry Housing NSW promises about
graffiti removal have not been kept and (inset) the graffiti remains.
Source: Central 23rd April 2008