Sign of the times: Mystery spraypainters blank out no stopping signs, put lives at risk

MYSTERY surrounds the identity of spraypainters regularly whiting out ‘no stopping’ signs and blacking out yellow ‘no-parking’ road strips in North Bondi.

A ‘no stopping’ sign which has been whited out on Wairoa Ave, Bondi. Picture: Craig Wilson

VANDALS are whiting out ‘no stopping’ signs with spray paint and blacking out yellow no-parking road strips in North Bondi where parking spots are tight, affecting motorists’ clear vision.

The signs are all centred round the intersection of Hastings Pde and Wairoa Ave, an area of limited street parking and three businesses as well as the compact Wairoa Reserve, a favourite with families.

At least three signs are being painted out at any one time and when a Wentworth Courier photographer visited, a car was parked in one of the ‘no stopping’ spots, partially obscuring pedestrian and driver views at the intersection.

“It’s a little bit foolish and very childish,” said Labor councillor Ingrid Strewe. “Parking can be a problem in Waverley but the ‘no stopping’ signs are put there for a reason. It’s incredibly expensive for council to keep replacing them.”

No stopping signs which have been painted over on corner of Hastings Pde and Wairoa Ave, Bondi. Picture: Craig Wilson

A Waverley Council spokeswoman said since the beginning of the year 34 signs had to be replaced because of graffiti and spray painting.

“Unfortunately vandalism does occur from time to time. We will replace the signs. If any members of the public have further information about this incident or others, they should report it to the police.”

BELOVED BEACH TO BECOME SURFING RESERVE

Local businesses deny they are behind the spray painting.

“I first noticed the problem when trying to nose my car out of the junction and often there was a truck parked there and it obscured the view, so it can be dangerous,” said one resident who wished to remain anonymous.

“It’s true there are places where you wonder why they have a ‘no stopping’ sign but most of the ones they are spray-painting are there for a seemingly good reason.

Erika Gonzalez with her two children and other residents at Wairoa Reserve in North Bondi. Picture: John Simmons

“It’s always the same white spray paint and it’s happened maybe three times this year and then the council has replaced the signs, but it keeps happening. This is definitely what you would call a high activity pedestrian site so it’s potentially dangerous.”

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said: “We certainly don’t want people doing this. We don’t know what people think they will achieve by doing this. It is potentially very dangerous.”

Donna Milnes who works at Bryoni’s Hair, said it had been going on for some time.

OSCARS OF THE EAST ON AGAIN

“It’s definitely not us. We have parking outside the shop and we always tell people if they park on the corner that it’s not safe to do so and we ask them to move,” she said.

“It’s been happening the last six months. They must be doing it at night. I reckon the only way they’ll get caught is if the council put cameras up.”

Dr Erika Gonzalez takes her two children Oihan, eight, and four-year-old Nahia to the adjoining Wairoa Reserve playground every day after school and she is very concerned.

“I’m not surprised people are painting the signs because there just isn’t enough parking but it is causing real danger to our children and whoever is doing it should stop before someone gets hurt or even worse killed, Dr Gonzalez said.

Another resident said: “I don’t see how anyone can be given a ticket because if they’re not from the area they’ll just see what looks like a blank sign.”