Joint effort to clean up the Sunshine Coast

A memorandum of understanding between Main Roads and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council has been developed to help fight the issues of graffiti and littering on the Sunshine Coast.

Main Roads Parliamentary Secretary Annastacia Palaszczuk and Cr Ted Hungerford were on the Sunshine Coast today to officially sign and launch the anti-graffiti MoU.

Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the Queensland government-funded trial program was designed to help provide solutions to the growing problem.

"Graffiti and littering are issues which concern both the Queensland Government and the people of the Sunshine Coast," Mr Pitt said.

"I gave an undertaking recently that Main Roads would work to put in place strategies to help clean up the coast and that's what this program is all about.

"Starting with an initial $100,000 from the Queensland Government, crews from council will implement anti-graffiti treatments along the Sunshine Motorway between the Mooloolah River interchange and Eumundi-Noosa Road."

Ms Palaszczuk said the agreement also included litter management for the Sunshine Motorway and various other coastal roads.

"The initial trial will last six months and will guide future graffiti and litter removal strategies for both Main Roads and Council," Ms Palaszczuk said.

Ms Palaszczuk said the trial would be in addition to the department's standard maintenance activities.

"The removal and painting-over of graffiti has already started around the Mooloolah River interchange and on noise barriers between Maroochydore Road and David Low Way.

"Security guards were employed over the September school holidays to patrol the motorway construction area and, to date, the site remains graffiti-free.

"In the last two financial years Main Roads has invested more than $360,000 on graffiti and litter removal in this region, so this trial will build on a solid existing commitment."

Cr Ted Hungerford said he was delighted to be part of the solution to a worrying trend in anti-social behaviour.

"Like Minister Pitt and Ms Palaszczuk, I'm most concerned by the growing amount of graffiti and litter in the area and I'm keen to look for solutions," Mr Hungerford said.

"The Sunshine Coast Regional Council is pleased to be assisting Main Roads in keeping the Sunshine Motorway graffiti and litter-free and I look forward to this trial leading to bigger and better things in the future.

"By working together, I'm optimistic council and the State Government will be able to ensure the Sunshine Coast continues to be pleasant on the eye for its many visitors."

Media contact: Minister’s office 3227 8819