Mayor Greg Conkey has thrown his support behind the proposition, but wasn’t confident a creative space would put a stop to illegal tagging in Wagga. 

“Melbourne seems to capitalise on their graffiti arcades and it’s a great tourist attraction for them,” Cr Conkey said. 

“I think council would certainly support a legal wall, if it was in the right spot.” 

The “right spot” is still up for debate, with some residents calling for a wall along Cadell Place and others suggesting the construction of a new wall at a Wagga skate park. 

Eastern Riverina Arts executive director Scott Howie was also behind the cause, but emphasised a graffiti wall would not stop illegal tagging. 

“The things that drive people to illegally tag is a different drive to people who create an interesting piece of art,” Mr Howie said. 

“I would never promise anybody that it’s going to solve anything – it is not a silver bullet.” 

Mr Howie said the Cadell Place spot could create an exciting laneway vibe. 

A Daily Advertiser poll found that 74 per cent of respondents were for a legal graffiti wall in Wagga, while just 25 per cent were against. 

Former Wagga councillor Clint Uden, who campaigned for a legal graffiti wall back in 2012 and practised graffiti art as a teenager, said a wall would help keep youth and vandals occupied. 

“If it gives people something to do and is colourful and artistic, why should there be any opposition to it,” Mr Uden said. 

“I think there’s a lot of conservative people who can’t differentiate between tagging and an art piece.

“In saying that, there seems to be more support these days.” 

Wagga City Council community sector manager Janice Summerhayes said a graffiti wall project would be considered as part of a new public art plan, that will be reviewed and expected to be tabled at council in June.