PETER Smith has been happy to fly under the radar and clean up graffiti around the Manning for nearly two years.

The majority of the community isn't even aware he does it.

In the lead-up to graffiti removal day tomorrow (Saturday), being held in conjunction with the Tidy Up Taree initiative, Greater Taree City Council's graffiti management coordinator John Fitzgerald felt it was important to acknowledge the significant contribution he has made.

"The work Peter has done is superb," said John, explaining that residual graffiti had become a big problem in the community - it had accumulated because it wasn't being cleaned off.

Peter was motivated to start cleaning up graffiti in the community after a building he rents in Taree was targeted by graffiti vandals.

"It was Christmas a couple of years ago.

"I came out on Boxing Day and there were tags on everything."

He contacted well-known Great Lakes graffiti buster, Ted Bickford who provided him with the appropriate chemicals to remove it.

It was then he decided to go beyond his own backyard.

"I just thought, well if they can get it on, I can get it off."

He had slowly plugged away at it and in the past month, the Taree area is almost graffiti free.

"Two years ago, it was everywhere."

Now, it is easy to see when new graffiti comes up.

Support has also come from Greater Taree City Council, which in partnership with Valley Industries, provides Peter with a graffiti ute (or rapid removal vehicle) which is fitted out with the appropriate chemicals to clean off graffiti and a high pressure water blaster.

The funds came from the NSW State Attorney Proceeds of Crime funding.

Peter removes graffiti around the main parts of town and also goes to Cundletown, Old Bar and to Harrington, Black Head and Wingham when needed.

John said Peter's contribution is the most efficient way to clean graffiti up which doesn't tie up the time of council staff and allows it to be done quickly.

"The cost of graffiti to the community can be significant there is a massive benefit to him doing it," John said.

"People can email and it can be done that day."

Peter is always on the lookout for graffiti when out and about.

"Every time I go into town I take a different route.

"It's a grassroots approach. Somebody has got to start somewhere and start doing it."

Peter said that if you get to the graffiti early, it washes off fairly easily and quickly.

It can take a little while to clean up though if a graffiti vandal has spent the night in town, putting 200 tags on things.

All tags are photographed and logged into the online police registry VandalTrak.

All significant graffiti and common tags are recorded so there is a record if someone is apprehended.

Penalties for graffiti vandals are significant. It is now a jailable offence.

Peter is looking forward to graffiti removal day and said there are a few things he wants to focus on.

If you spot some graffiti that should be removed, you can call council's customer service line on 6592 5399 or email graffiti@gtcc.nsw.gov.au