Tagging has given graffiti a bad name. What should be an urban artform is now more commonly called vandalism.
And it’s forcing councils around Victoria to spend precious ratepayers’ funds on heavy-duty cleaning products and clean-up crews.
Whittlesea has two dedicated crews that remove graffiti from power boxes, fences, signs and playground equipment, while Hume has spent almost $200,000 in the past year on contract cleaners and graffiti clean-up kits.
Hume has two special trailers for removing unwanted graffiti as soon as it’s reported.
In an attempt to deal with the problem more creatively, Whittlesea council has used graffiti-style art to make over local skateboard bowls, which usually have to be repainted every week to cover tags and other scrawlings. The new approach has been given the thumbs-up by youngsters using the Meadowglen skate park.
Meanwhile, Hume residents have just filed their feedback to their council’s new counter-graffiti strategy, which is focusing on education and better reporting. It also seeks to involve young people in arts programs and a community mural, while schools will run graffiti impact and prevention sessions.
Hume residents can report graffiti by phoning 1300 486 325, while Whittlesea residents can call 9404 5500 or report incidents online at www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/your-council/contact-us/report-an-issue-or-offence
