Graffiti
The effect of graffiti on our community
The presence of graffiti can cause people to feel unsafe. It creates a perception that nobody cares about the area, and if left unattended it often attracts more graffiti and may even encourage other more serious crimes. Graffiti impacts on the health and well being of a community. Public spaces that are graffitied will often be avoided by legitimate users, and if the graffiti is racist or contains discrimatory themes it can personally offend individuals or community groups.
- What is Council doing?
- What can you do?
- Guide to removal of graffiti
- Contacts for reporting graffiti
- Illegal Graffiti Policy
- The Graffiti Prevention Act 2007
What is Council doing?
Council initiatives include:
- Prompt removal of graffiti from Council owned buildings and infrastructure
- Developing partnerships with key organisations responsible for public assets, such as transport services and utility companies to maintain a consistent approach to graffiti management
- Working with State Government and neighbouring municipalities
- Provision of free paint vouchers for painting out graffiti
- Working with police to assist in detection of graffiti vandals
- Engaging with young people through community art projects
- Foundation member of the Eastern Region Graffiti Network (ERGN).
What can you do?
1. Prevent it
There are some simple things that you can do to deter graffiti including:
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Use fencing that can be seen through to create a sense of openness and surveillance. An offender will be less likely to target an area that has a high degree of visibility from your home and neighbouring properties. This style of fence is also more difficult to graffiti.
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Choose dark colour paint when painting out graffiti to help reduce the likelihood of graffiti appearing on your property
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Textured or rough surfaces act as a graffiti deterrent
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Apply anti-graffiti coating where possible to help deter graffiti
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Plant prickly shrubs or creepers that are low growing
2. Report it
Graffiti is a punishable offence and we encourage the community to report all incidents to Victoria Police.
- If you find graffiti on your private property, report the incident to your local police station. If possible, providing the following details will be helpful for police enquiries:
- Time and date of graffiti offense
- Location
- Digital photo (if available) to be recorded as evidence
- To report graffiti found on Council property, contact Council directly
- To report graffiti on other public infrastructure see the telephone numbers listed below, or call Council if you are unsure who owns the property.
3. Remove it
We strongly recommend that you remove all graffiti as soon as you can. Not only will the graffiti be easier to remove, but your quick response sends a positive message to the community. It is also less likely that your property will be targeted again if the graffiti is removed immediately.
Recommended methods of removal:
Paint out: painting out graffiti is the easiest method of removal. Here are some tips:
- Thoroughly clean the surface
- Aim for the closest colour match possible
- Consider using a sealant first to ensure complete coverage of the graffiti
- Keep any spare paint handy for easy removal if the graffiti reappears
Contact Council to receive a free paint voucher.
Cleaning: always wear protective gear when painting out or using harsh chemicals to remove graffiti. Most materials can be found at hardware stores, however advice should be sought, particularly when dealing with graffiti on porous surfaces. You can contact Council for further advice.
Professional cleaners: the phone directory contains a list of professional graffiti cleaners that will do the job for you (not a free service).
4. Reduce it
By following these simple guidelines, you can help to reduce the incidence of graffiti, and contribute to a cleaner and safer community, for you, your family and your friends.
Guide to removal of graffiti
(texta pen and spray can)
Removed from glass/aluminiumFoam Oven Cleaner - good |
Removed from soft brick/blockFoam Oven Cleaner - poor |
Removed from hard brickFoam Oven Cleaner – fair |
Removed from concrete slabFoam Oven Cleaner – poor (spray can fair) |
Removed from terrazzoFoam Oven Cleaner - good |
Contacts for reporting graffiti
- Victoria Police:
- Croydon 9724 0100
- Ringwood 9871 3000
- Telstra (payphones) 1800 011 433
- VicRoads (signal boxes) 13 11 70
- Connex (rail property) 1800 800 705
- Australia Post (post boxes) 13 13 18
More information on Graffiti Management is available from the Department of Justice at www.justice.vic.gov.au
Illegal Graffiti Policy
The Maroondah Illegal Graffiti Policy describes Council's position on illegal graffiti and community art in Maroondah. The Policy is provides direction and guidelines for Council to work towards the reduction and prevention of illegal graffiti in Maroondah and recognises the value of community art in enhancing a sense of place and community pride.
The Graffiti Prevention Act 2007
The Graffiti Prevention Act aims to reduce graffiti by:
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creating new graffiti related offences that carry the potential for a prison sentence and/or a significant fine
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providing police with additional search and seizure powers
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providing Councils with the option of removing graffiti from private property if given consent.
