AUSTRALIA’S leading street artists have welcomed a City of Sydney proposal to ease restrictions on street art, effectively allowing any privately owned surface to become a canvas.

Following a review into public art, the council has recommended a change to its local environmental plan, allowing murals, graffiti and other forms of street art to be undertaken without council approval.

The plan cuts red tape and allows property owners to decide for themselves what goes on their walls.

Apart from a few caveats, including provisions the art is not advertising, does not discriminate, is not sexually degrading, and does not infringe intellectual property rights, street artists have free reign.

Sydney-based and internationally recognised street artists Scott Marsh and Anthony Lister applauded the move as a vital step towards handing back public space to the people.

media_camera Anthony Lister is among the world’s foremost street artists.

“I think it’s definitely a positive thing in terms of supporting artists,” Marsh said.

The street artist, whose recognisable work includes the Fat Tony/Mike Baird mural in Chippendale, said property owners would often ask him to do a mural but give up when they realised the red tape involved.

“Homeowners should be able to do whatever they want,” he said.

Anthony Lister, best known for his ballerina series and prominent ‘Lister’ signature, welcomed the move as a step towards the decriminalisation of graffiti.

“I’m a believer in public spaces being for public people,” he said.

media_camera Artist Fintan Magee at work on his latest mural facing Matt Hogan reserve in Newtown. Picture: John Appleyard

“I’ve said many times there needs to be less cleaning and more creating.”

Lister, along with Marsh, said he hoped the move would encourage more artists to spread their message around the city.

“The propaganda and the fear machine (against street art) has been pretty strong for many decades,” Lister said.

media_camera Thurnby Lane at Enmore is a popular spot for public art. Picture: Stephen Cooper

“So, I’m not sure if this will free up people’s mind to activate their spaces creatively but I really hope so.

“I hope to be living in a colourful environment (in the future).”

The proposed amendment to the LEP will be submitted to the Greater Sydney Commission for a determination.