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?

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
  • Free paint vouchers, free resident and business graffiti removal kits and community graffiti trailer 
  • Free residential graffiti removal kits
  • 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:

  • 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.

  • Choose dark colour paint when painting out graffiti to help reduce the likelihood of graffiti appearing on your property

  • Textured or rough surfaces act as a graffiti deterrent.

  • Apply anti-graffiti coating where possible to help deter graffiti.

  • 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.

Community graffiti removal trailer

Graffiti trailerCouncil has a purpose-built graffiti removal trailer available for use by community or trader groups.  Perhaps your shops have been damaged by graffiti, your clubrooms have been tagged or your facility just needs a clean outside with a pressure hose.  These are great opportunities to make use of the community graffiti removal trailer.  All equipment, training and materials are supplied. 

To book the trailer please contact Fred Painter at Maroondah City Council on 9294 5679

This project was funded under the Graffiti Prevention and Removal Graffiti Grants program in 2012, as part of the Victorian Government's Community Crime Prevention Program

Free graffiti removal kits

Council has kits available for residents and businesses in Maroondah to remove graffiti from a variety of surfaces.  Come and pick up your free kit from Council’s Customer Service outlets in Braeside Avenue, Eastland, Croydon Civic or the Council Depot during business hours as listed below.

  • City Offices Service Centre, Braeside Avenue Ringwood.8.30am-7pm Mondays (5pm in January) 8.30-5pm Tuesday to Friday
  • Eastland Service Centre Level 2, Eastland Shopping Centre, Ringwood 8.30am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday 9.00am - 12.00pm Saturday
  • Maroondah City Council Depot Lincoln Rd Croydon 7.30am-4.30pm (7.00am -4.00 pm Daylight savings)
  • Croydon Service Centre Civic Square, Croydon 8.30am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

This project was funded under the Graffiti Prevention and Removal Graffiti Grants program in 2012, as part of the Victorian Government's Community Crime Prevention Program

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.

Contacts for reporting graffiti

  • Victoria Police:
    • Croydon 9724 0100
    • Ringwood 9871 3000 
  • Telstra (payphones) 13 22 03
  • VicRoads (signal boxes) 13 11 70
  • Metro (rail property) 1800 MY METRO 1800 69 63876
  • 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:

  • creating new graffiti related offences that carry the potential for a prison sentence and/or a significant fine

  • providing police with additional search and seizure powers

  • providing Councils with the option of removing graffiti from private property if given consent.

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