COUNCIL calls it art, but footy clubs call it graffiti.
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A storm has erupted over Wagga City Council (WWCC) spending $7000 on street art at the Harris Park dressing shed.
Country Rugby League (CRL) regional manager David Skinner has sprayed WWCC over the surprise artwork, but WWCC maintains the project will enhance community spirit and cut graffiti.
Mr Skinner was “disgusted” WWCC did not consult with Turvey Park and Southcity rugby league clubs before the decision was made.
“They call it art, all the sporting groups call it graffiti,” he said.
Mr Skinner fears the new artwork will send the wrong message to the community and visiting sporting teams, after the clubs had the block “in its best shape ever” at the end of last season.
“This opens up the door for more graffiti,” he said. “We’ve spent a lot of time cleaning up the graffiti over the years.”
While the Harris Park street art project formed part of National Youth Week activities to utilise the arts for crime prevention, Mr Skinner has hit out at the subject of the art and questioned what it has to do with sport.
He said the artwork on the shed, which was built by Rugby League in 1964, was a step back for sporting groups who’d maintained it over the years.
“This takes us back in time,” he said. “That’s the sort of stuff we’re trying to get away from.”
WWCC believes the project will decrease the amount of unwanted graffiti and save council thousands of dollars in removal and cleaning, with only two incidents reported at Bolton Park amenity block since a street art workshop and artwork was commissioned in 2013.
A WWCC spokesman said the Harris Park amenity block had to be repainted recently due to the high level of graffiti .
The street art is one of two projects commissioned each year on council property that incorporates workshops for local young people at a cost of $7000 each.
“This project also aimed to give the young participants a sense of pride and ownership of their community and community buildings, such as the Harris Park amenity block,” the spokesman said.
“Council is committed to the development of Wagga as a thriving, innovative and connected regional centre.”
WWCC maintains the project recognises the key role that public art plays by responding to the cultural needs of the community, including ensuring that young people know that they are valued and included in public spaces and community life.
Mr Skinner will meet with WWCC this week to further discuss the decision.