BRIMBANK Council has declared war on illegal tagging with a new graffiti management policy.
The policy is aimed at protecting the rights of property owners and improving the appearance of the municipality by dealing with tagging, profanities and hate-oriented images.
Brimbank chairman Peter Lewinsky said residents and business owners had the right to expect their properties to be kept free of tagging and vandalism.
“Random use of aerosols on council and private property is not art; it is vandalism plain and simple,” he said.
“The council has a budget of $210,000 to remove graffiti from council property and assets. If it’s offensive or hateful we aim to remove it in two working days. If it’s inoffensive, we’ll take it off within five working days.”
Mr Lewinsky said the policy was a sophisticated response to a complex issue and would continue to be evaluated.
“Quite frankly, blanket bans don’t work when it comes to graffiti. Managing it requires a more nuanced approach,” he said.
“While tagging and unwanted graffiti can make areas look unloved or uncared for, we also need to acknowledge the increased acceptance of legal street art in appropriate places.”
Mr Lewinsky said legal aerosol art could add to the vibrancy of public spaces.
“Melbourne is a world leader in street art and it’s increasingly a tourist magnet, with some even claiming that it’s Melbourne’s most significant cultural movement since the Heidelberg School.”
People wanting to discuss legal sites can contact the council’s youth services.
Details: 90918210
