DISGUSTED by the state of Macquarie Plaza, two people have called for serious rejuvenation work to be carried out in the thoroughfare.
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The plaza is not only home to several businesses, but acts as a walkway from the Bathurst Chase car park through to William Street.
Bathurst resident Jody Parker said the area is uninviting, largely due to graffiti.
"I've been a long-term resident of Bathurst and I want to be proud of the city I live in," she said. "I want shopping centres to be a place where families can bring children and feel safe."
Ms Parker herself tends to avoid Macquarie Plaza because of its lacklustre appearance and felt it was finally time to make some noise, so she reached out to councillor Alex Christian.
"It looks like something out of downtown LA. It is just an eyesore," the councillor said. "It's not an inviting, warm area."
Both Cr Christian and Ms Parker feel that the owners of the plaza need to give the area a complete makeover.
Ms Parker thought a mural could make a difference.
"One thing that came to mind was local artists being invited - they might have designs or concepts they could put up on the wall if it was going to be painted and rejuvenated," she said.
"If it was cleared up, freshly painted and some seats and plants [put in], that might make it more attractive."
The challenge, however, is that there is some confusion about who is responsible for the wall with all the graffiti.
Cr Christian, after a discussion with senior council staff, was under the impression that it was the owner of Bathurst Chase shopping centre, Sentinel Property Group, who was responsible.
While Sentinel also wants to see the state of Macquarie Plaza improve, it insists that the wall covered in graffiti is not part of its property.
"Sentinel Property Group as the owners of Bathurst Chase have raised concerns with Bathurst Regional Council over an area of the Macquarie Plaza arcade adjacent to the shopping centre," Sentinel told the Western Advocate.
"The area of the arcade’s passageway which Sentinel is responsible for presents well, in contrast to the council and privately-owned and controlled portion.
"We strongly encourage and would support the council and neighboring property owners to take the necessary action to improve the presentation and cleanliness of the arcade passageway for the benefit of customers and tenants."
The Western Advocate has approached council for clarification on the ownership of Macquarie Plaza, but council has yet to provide the name of the property owner.
Mayor Graeme Hanger did, however, say that it was "disappointing" that Macquarie Plaza had been subject to graffiti, as it was uncommon in the city centre.
Council is responsible for the removal of graffiti from public spaces, however Macquarie Plaza is considered private property.
