The council's draft hoardings and scaffolding policy - which is set to go on public display - would make building sites more aesthetically pleasing than at present.

"Current industry practice is to use green or black mesh on the outside of scaffolding, which reduces dust and debris falling from the work site but often detracts from the … streetscape," a council spokesman said. "One of the key changes is the introduction of urban design requirements for graphic wraps around the outside of buildings in prominent localities or where scaffolding will be in place for significant periods of time."

Some development sites in the city have voluntarily wrapped faux facades and large graphics on the outside of buildings.

The historic Myer building at the corner of Market and George streets, which is undergoing stonemasonry work, is covered in a life-sized image of itself. The redevelopment of the Westfield site on Pitt Street Mall has large hoardings with colourful artworks from the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Council is encouraging creativity among developers.

"For heritage buildings the images may replicate the existing building or for buildings under construction the hoardings may depict artist impressions of the new building or a general artwork," the spokesman said.

Historic photos of the city could also be used to wrap building sites. To pay for the graphics, owners will be permitted to display advertising on a small section of the wrap.