A homophobic slur on a sign directly across from Don Kendall Drive, the road used to exit the Wagga Airport. Photo: Chris Roe.
A homophobic slur has been graffiti on a sign directly in line of sight of the exit of the Wagga Airport for more than a year, yet Wagga Council claims it is not an issue it can resolve.
The slur is visible on a now derelict billboard situated on Elizabeth Rd, directly across from Don Kendell Drive.
According to Forest Hill Neighbourhood Network president John Deuis, the graffiti has existed since at least the beginning of 2025.
Region first notified Wagga Wagga City Council about the offensive graffiti following an interview with Mr Deuis in June 2025, but nothing has been done to remove it.
The council said it was unable to remove the graffiti due to it being located on private property, even though it’s in the direct eyeline of visitors to town as they leave the airport.
Councillor Jenny McKinnon said she understood council’s limitations, but hoped NSW Police could intervene.
“I think it’s a disgrace, and I think it’s a very sorry welcome to people who’ve just arrived in Wagga,” Cr McKinnon said.
“For that to be the first big sign that they see outside the airport is a disgrace for this community.
“I don’t know whether council has a right to intervene and make any sort of request, but I certainly would have thought that police would have the right to be able to request the property owner to have this taken down or covered up at least, so that the homophobic slur is no longer visible.”
Prominent activist Leigh Swansborough has also hit out at the fact the sign has remained present for so long.
Ms Swansborough compared it with the satirical artwork that stirred controversy when it was displayed on the storefront of Advision in March 2025.
The owner of the storefront, Michael Agzarian, was pressured to take down artwork showing Australian politicians and a billionaire as ‘Hogan’s Heroes’. He removed the sign soon after it was reported to NSW Police.
The controversial artwork was displayed on the Advision shopfront in March/April 2025. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
While Ms Swansborough said she did not believe Mr Agzarian’s work breached any hate speech laws, she said she was confused as to why the homophobic slur hadn’t been taken down under the laws.
“What better way to welcome LGBTQIA visitors to Wagga with a homophobic slur? Would council react more immediately if it were a white supremacist hate speech slur?” she said.
“If you had Michael McCormack making a fuss about it, you’d probably get the hate speech removed from the airport.
“Knowing council won gold for the local government tourism award, I can only hope council would liaise with the private landowner and have it removed.”
When asked about the sign, the council said the community should report any signs of graffiti on public property via its customer service desk and in the case of private property, to report it to police.
“Anyone can report acts of graffiti vandalism against public assets, community facilities, or private property,” a council spokesperson said.
“The NSW Graffiti Hotline (free call 1800 707 125) operates from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
“Graffiti can also be reported online through the NSW Police Force Community Portal.
“Wagga Wagga City Council encourages members of the public to report graffiti and vandalism of council property. This can be done through our customer service desk by calling 1300 292 442 or via our Request it. Report it. form.”
