Reports of graffiti damage to Brimbank council-owned property have dropped to their lowest level in at least three years.
But the cost of cleaning up eye-sores continues to increase.
There were 934 resident requests for graffiti to be removed in the past financial year, almost a quarter less than the 2013-14 financial year (1211).
There were 1111 requests in 2014-15 and 939 in 2012-13.
However, clean-up costs have ju
mped, with the council outlaying $250,000 over the past financial year. Three years ago, graffiti cost the council $229,000 to clean up, and last year its bill was $232,000.
Council infrastructure and environment director Neil Whiteside said the cost of removing graffiti depends on its size, location and materials used.
“There is not necessarily a reduction in costs when there are fewer individual graffiti removal requests,” he said.
Sunshine, St Albans and Deer Park are hotspots for tagging, council says.
Horseshoe Bend ward councillor Virginia Tachos said the council needs to encourage “community ownership” of graffiti hotspots.
“I would promote environmental design initiatives to cover walls vulnerable to graffiti vandalism, such as vertical gardens and plants, murals and public art … better lighting, activities that engage people, particularly young people,” she said.
