Katoomba has a new mural by world-renowned Mexican street artist Peque following a collaboration with Sydney Water.
The artist spent the past fortnight painting a 144 square metre mural on the Katoomba Water Reservoir in Valley Road with support from Street Art Murals Australia (SAMA).
The mural has already garnered praise from local residents, according to Jarrod Wheatley, the co-ordinator of the street art organisation which began in the Blue Mountains.
"This project in Katoomba is a great example of urban beautification murals having a positive impact on the community. We have already received a lot of positive feedback from the residents in the area," he said.
The mural will have the added benefit of reducing graffiti at the high-profile location.
"Sydney Water is working closely with a number of councils on a wide range of initiatives to improve urban amenity and enhance local environments and communities," said Paul Mulley, Manager People and Places at Sydney Water.
"Peque's work brings an innovative solution to the real problem of graffiti on Sydney Water assets. This collaboration will help prevent future graffiti in the area, and will significantly reduce the future cost of removing graffiti."
Mr Mulley said the "design seeks to reconceptualise the reservoir tank as an aquarium full of aquatic marine life, to demonstrate the enormity of the tank and the volume of water that it holds".
"Peque provides an aesthetically valued artwork to complement and enhance the space and surrounds and he is also assisting young local artists to develop their skills," he said.
Peque grew up in Guadalajara and moved to Sydney with his family, to become an Australian resident in 2012.