It has led its biggest supporter, Alderman Toni Tapp Coutts, to call for it to be repainted on the almost century-old Katherine railway bridge.

Alderman Tapp Coutts insists the slogan is iconic and provides Katherine with one of the most talked about bridges in the NT.

It has been a feature on the Katherine railway bridge for several decades, an adaptation of "Jesus Loves you' by a local wag.

She has even trademarked it.

But not everyone is a fan.

Mayor Fay Miller has said in the past the bridge was in dire need of a re-paint, even with the loss of the graffiti.

The authorities in charge of the bridge, the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, are keeping out of the argument, saying it is up the people of Katherine to decide.

An online poll conducted by the Katherine Times in 2017 found overwhelming public support for the graffiti, some saying it was the town's most famous piece of art.

Alderman Tapp Coutts has told council the Katherine Railway Bridge was only second behind the Sydney Harbor Bridge for fame.

"This is our Banksy.

"We are too quick to destroy the character of Katherine in the name of progress," she said.

Some people even have the slogan tattooed on their body.

"Ninety per cent of the people living here want to keep it," Alderman Tapp Coutts said.

"It is a Territory icon."

A DIPL spokesman said the railway bridge is a declared "heritage place".

"The bridge is iconic to Katherine, and holds special significance to the local community," the spokesman said.

"Residents and visitors to Katherine use the bridge for foot and bicycle access, and as a viewing platform for the Katherine River, particularly during the Wet Season.

"No significant works are planned for the bridge at this time, which includes painting.

"Given the importance of the bridge to the community, no significant works will be undertaken without community consultation."

Alderman Tapp Coutts has presented councillors with a tea towel emblazoned with the "Jesus loves nachos" slogan.

"Jesus Loves Nachos is an iconic landmark in Katherine and a great tourist attraction. It needs to be repainted on the bridge. The whole bridge should become a work of art with murals and Jesus Loves Nachos as the centrepiece," she said.

Mayor Miller has in the past said the bridge was an eyesore on the northern entrance to Katherine.

"Something needs to be done," she said.

She said the re-painting of the bridge had been discussed for more than a decade.

Because of the bridge's existing lead-based paint, it would an expensive process to overhaul the look of the bridge while keeping the heritage colours, she said.

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