Northern Territory Government has created an initiative to help deter bus infrastructure vandalism
Various bus shelters in Northern Territory (NT) have undergone a makeover with Indigenous art as a way to reduce graffiti across Greater Darwin.
NT Minister for Transport Peter Chandler says: “Urban bus shelters are at times targeted with graffiti and the Territory Government is reducing repair costs by painting art on shelters as this has been shown to reduce vandalism.
“The Country Liberals Government is committed to building a liveable environment, supporting jobs and improving aesthetics along road corridors.”
Local artist and youth family support social worker David Collins and artist Jesse Bell have been leading the painting of 10 city bus shelters in a bid to reduce vandalism and graffiti removal costs.
“The public art project aims to promote community engagement and pride in suburban areas; and engage youths from a range of backgrounds,” says Collins.
Ten bus stops on McMillans Road were also painted in 2014, under Collins’ direction with ‘graffiti’ style artwork, and as a result the vandalism and graffiti at those bus shelters was greatly reduced and the artwork remains undefaced.
Four youth from the Department of Corrections assisted in the preparation, cleaning and clear coating of the bus stops.
The project helped fulfil community service work obligations for these youth and provided meaningful and rewarding tasks that contribute to the local community.
“Being given the opportunity to participate in this long lasting, meaningful community project is a step in the right direction for these youths and enables them to contribute back to society in a positive way,” says Minister for Correctional Services John Elferink.