The spray-painting of a large swastika, accompanied by the words "white power", at a popular Queensland lookout serves as a reminder that racism is still highly prevalent within Australian communities, a psychologist has said.

Key points: Graffiti featuring a swastika and the words 'white power' was found at the Mount Morgan lookout near Rockhampton, Queensland

Graffiti featuring a swastika and the words 'white power' was found at the Mount Morgan lookout near Rockhampton, Queensland The racist messages were reported by a resident to the local council and police

The racist messages were reported by a resident to the local council and police The local mayor condemned the message as unacceptable and confirmed it has been removed

The racist messages at the Mount Morgan lookout near Rockhampton were reported by a resident to the local council and police.

"I'm getting to the point where not much shocks me anymore," Mame Du Bois said.

"But it just still amazes me that that symbolism and ideology holds current in 2020."

Graffiti racism on the rise

University of Queensland social psychologist Fiona Barlow said the consensus in academic circles was that racist graffiti had become more commonplace in Australia, and the United States, over the past five years.

"It's incredibly concerning," she said.

"A message like this, it directly aims to empower and hearten people who are racist and believe in the superiority of one race over others.

"It also sends a clear message to people of colour within the community that they're being targeted and they're not welcome."

Chin Tan from the Human Rights Commission condemned the graffiti and urged people to remember the symbolism of such messages.

Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan said there's been a marked increase in racist graffiti over the past decade. ( Supplied )

"The swastika represents a symbol of a time that was a dark chapter in our history," he said.

"It's devious, it's abhorrent in terms of the race implication and the damage and the harm it does."

Mr Tan agreed there had been a noticeable increase in racist graffiti over the last 10 years.

"There has been a visible increase in people fomenting hatred and particularly race-based," he said.

"It's not just Australia. You look around in terms of what's happening in the last decade … It's totally abhorrent and it's to be totally rejected."

Calling out racism when you see it

Psychologist Ms Barlow said Australians needed to be aware that racism was still highly prevalent within communities.

"We don't live in a post-racial world," she said.

"We need to redouble our efforts against racism and racial divides … Arm yourself with knowledge about issues of race and racism within your community.

"If they hear friends or family members make jokes … that actually are perpetuating racism, they can speak up and challenge them, try and set a new norm."

Earlier this month a Nazi flag was flown from a house in Victoria and there was a wide backlash from people across the state and country.

Mr Chin said this highlighted the power the community could have when calling out racism.

"One person did that and you've got a whole community saying no and that's a very powerful message," he said.

"The more people who do that, the more people who represent our values, and I think there's more hope that we can diminish … and eliminate racism."

In a statement, Rockhampton Regional Mayor Margaret Strelow said the graffiti at Mount Morgan had been removed.

"Obviously this is completely unacceptable … We would like to thank those who brought the graffiti to our attention," she said.