By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
CASEY Councillor Wayne Smith is set to embark on an estimated $6500 council-funded trip to America this year to pick up new tips on tackling graffiti.
Cr Smith, who helped implement the City of Casey’s graffiti removal process and hotline when he returned from a similar trip roughly 15 years ago, will travel to Phoenix, Los Angeles, New York, Washington and Springfield as part of this year’s three-week visit.
Flights for the July trip, approved at council on Tuesday, are estimated to cost $3000 while accommodation has also been priced at $3000.
Registration at the International Sister Cities Conference in Minneapolis is understood to be roughly $500.
Cr Smith, who said he had overestimated the costs for the upcoming trip just to be safe, also noted Casey’s graffiti system hadn’t been reviewed since 2002.
“We need to get an update, we’re clearly struggling with graffiti again,” he said.
“Our removal is quick as it’s always been, but we’re still struggling with the issue.
“We need to investigate cross jurisdiction, the worst graffiti in our city is on railway lines, but we’re not given permission for those areas.
“I want to explore how that’s dealt with in America, and see the latest methods of technology and removal.”
Cr Smith also plans to speak to the audience at the International Sister Cities Conference about Casey’s ongoing relationship with the Ermera District in East Timor, in order to gain additional support for the initiative.
“I want to promote our relationship with East Timor and try and gauge the interest from the American cities about forming their own relationships with Timor,” he said.
As part of the visit, Cr Smith also plans to meet with American Senate and Congress members as well as Capitol Hill staff to investigate how to improve relationships between city councils and state and Federal Government.
Cr Smith said upon returning he would present a proposal and recommendation to council and residents.
“I don’t travel very often and I don’t travel extravagantly,” he said.
“It’s always been clear why I am going and it has demonstrated benefits.”
