The City of Gold Coast has expanded its Artbox program to an additional 23 locations, aiming to reduce graffiti and enhance neighbourhood aesthetics while supporting local artists.
The Artbox initiative was launched to address the issue of graffiti on traffic signal boxes in high-visibility areas.
Mayor Tom Tate highlighted the significant impact of graffiti on community safety and city finances, with the City spending approximately $700,000 on graffiti removal in 2023-24 and addressing nearly 7,000 incidents.
“Graffiti negatively affects our community’s perception of safety and costs the City a substantial amount,” Mayor Tate stated. “The unique artwork on our traffic signal boxes deters graffiti by removing the blank canvases that vandals target, ultimately reducing removal costs.”
The program, which has installed over 190 artworks on traffic signal boxes, provides a platform for local artists to showcase their creativity while contributing to a clean and safe environment.
The recent expansion of Artbox saw a $23,000 investment, averaging $1,000 per traffic signal box.
Next year, the Artbox initiative will extend to the Helensvale pedestrian underpass, supported by a $350,000 public arts grant from the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
Gold Coast City will seek an artist for the Helensvale project later this year, which includes other safety measures for the area.
Artbox is part of a broader strategy to combat graffiti on public assets, complementing other City-led initiatives. “Prompt graffiti removal is crucial to deter vandals, which is why immediate reporting is essential,” Mayor Tate added.
Residents can report graffiti through the City App, the City website, or the Graffiti Hotline at 07 5667 5974.
Free graffiti removal kits are also available for residents and businesses to address minor incidents on their property.
Artbox is a key component of the City’s 2027 Community Safety Program, dedicated to creating safe, clean, and graffiti-free spaces.
