Newcastle City Council decided last night to end the project that allowed registered uses to do authorised graffiti artwork there.

The council also banned legal aerosol art walls being set up elsewhere in the local government area.

As part of the effort to rid the city of graffiti, it will employ extra clean-up crews and charge private owners to remove mess from their properties.

Cr Brad Luke said getting rid of the graffiti wall at South Newcastle Beach would improve what was otherwise a beautiful waterfront area.

"The legal graffiti wall . . . it's a blight on this city," he said.

"We are . . . removing what I believe is an ugly stain on our foreshore."

Cr Michael Osborne voted against removing the wall.

He said the council was told over the years that two things were needed to control graffiti: rapid removal of illegal graffiti and a space for authorised artwork.

"You need a legal space . . . for artists to do their work in a controlled environment," he said.

Liveable City director Frank Cordingley said the council would inform people the wall was being closed.

Signs are expected to be posted at the site.

The wall will be painted out within the next month.

The council will continue its program of working with artists on murals around the city, to try to deter vandalism.