Local graffiti artist, Jade Roche, last year proposed to council that the face of the bridge support under its Laidlaw Street end be converted to a free wall for graffiti art.

After receiving support from local police and community groups, councillors approved Mr Roche's request at their October 2020 meeting.

Mr Roche has applied the initial work to the wall. His trademark tag, a shortened version of the word 'resilience', is particularly appropriate following the trials and tribulations of 2020.

Mr Roche hopes that local young people will use the wall to express themselves and to have some fun over the school holidays.

The area is undercover, protected from the elements, on even ground, and is regularly used by pedestrians, making it an ideal place for young people to gather and express their creativity.

A free wall is open to artists of all levels of skill and experience. Everyone is permitted to contribute their work through adding to the work of others.

Yass Valley Council Community Planner, Helen Maskell-Knight, said the project is a good example of a community-based initiative that has received support and collaboration from the wider community.

"Mr Roche approached council with the proposal last year and attended council meetings to pitch the project. Council staff consulted local police, community groups, Council's Public Art Focus Group and Youth Council about the idea, with all indicating support. This was topped off by members of Yass Fire and Rescue cleaning the wall over the Christmas-New Year break," said Ms Maskell-Knight.