Community Planning & Advocacy

01/04/2019

19/302978 – Page 1 of 3

Graffiti Prevention and

Management Policy 2019

Policy aim and objectives

The aim of this policy is to provide a coordinated approach to reducing the incidence of

unauthorised graffiti and work towards enhancing the appearance, character and experience

of Brimbank public spaces.

The objectives of this policy are to:

(a)

Distinguish between various forms of graffiti.

(a) Outline Council's roles and approaches to graffiti prevention and

management.

Definition of terms

2.1.

Graffiti – any writing, painting, poster or other defacement applied to any surface

without the prior consent of the owner

. This may come in the form of tagging, throw

ups (bubble-style lettering), stencils, posters (paste-ups) and pieces or murals;

however illegal graffiti more commonly includes tagging and throw-up forms.

2.2.

Offensive Graffiti – Graffiti that could be offensive to particular members of the

general public or discriminates against any person or group. This may include any

obscene, racist, political or religious graffiti.

2.3.

Highly Visible Graffiti – Graffiti visible from a public place, usually located within high

use areas such as activity centres and therefore more likely to have a significant

impact to public amenity.

2.4.

Accessible Graffiti – Graffiti present on private property façades/ frontages which

does not require entering the property for the graffiti to be removed. The Graffiti

Prevention Act 2007 outlines the specific circumstances in which Council is permitted

to enter private property for the purpose of graffiti removal.

2.5.

Murals – generally more complex, large scale work involving a high degree of

artistry. Murals are typically legal pieces and are usually led by a professional artist.

2.6.

Public Art – Public art is a place-based creative practice. It can be manifested

through a wide selection of media and artistic approaches, including but not limited

to painting, sculpture, integrated design, lighting, digital media, performance,

soundscapes, installation and landform.

2.7.

Notice to Comply – Where there is a breach of Council's General Local Law 2018,

clause 8.1, an authorised officer may serve a Notice to comply on the person who is

in breach of the Local Law and/or carry out works to ensure compliance and in some

instances, recover the cost incurred to Council to conduct the rectification works.

2.8.

Authorised Officer – a person appointed by Council under section 224 and/or 224A of

the Local Government Act.

Community Planning & Advocacy

01/04/2019

19/302978 – Page 2 of 3

Graffiti Prevention and Management Policy

Policy statement and principles

Council recognises that effective prevention and management of unauthorised graffiti will

help enhance the appearance, character and experience of Brimbank public spaces.

Where possible, Council will seek to employ strategies to prevent graffiti from occurring in

the first instance. Where graffiti removal is required, Council will follow a determined

procedure for responding to reports of graffiti on Council assets, public, private and

commercial property in Brimbank.

Council's approach to graffiti prevention and management will be guided by the following

principles:

3.1.

Rapid response to removal

Rapid response to graffiti removal is an effective strategy for providing an immediate

improvement to public amenity and perceptions of safety. It can also have benefit in

discouraging reapplication of graffiti to the site. In addition to this, Council recognises

the importance of prioritising the removal of offensive and highly visible graffiti in public

places and monitors hot spot areas to ensure rapid removal wherever possible.

3.2.

Environmental design

Environmental design can be used as a tool to deter and prevent graffiti, as well as

improving overall amenity. For instance, preventative measures to deter graffiti may

include applying anti-graffiti coatings and installing vertical plants or stencil art along

fences to prevent access to graffiti. The installation of authorised murals, in particular a

youth engagement process in the development of murals, at sites where graffiti is more

prevalent may reduce the impact of graffiti at these sites and deter further graffiti.

3.3.

Place Management

Place management can be described as 'the process of making places better'

iii

. The

presence of graffiti in public places, especially alongside other factors, can create a

perception of neglect and that crime and disorder is prevalent. Place management

involves a range of approaches to enhance public spaces which may include public realm

improvements, partnership activities with traders/ businesses/ community, public art

installation and activation initiatives. It can help establish the overall identity of a place

and a sense of community pride.

3.4.

Community support

Council may offer support to assist residents and local businesses to manage graffiti on

their private property. This may include the provision of graffiti removal vouchers,

arranging for commissioned mural art works, or other negotiated responses.

Specific requirements

4.1.

The Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 (the Act) outlines the laws and penalties for graffiti

vandalism. Enforcement of graffiti offenders lies within the role of Victoria Police and

is conducted in accordance to the Act. Council also has a responsibility to ensure

compliance with the Act.

4.2.

Under the General Local Law 2018, Council has a responsibility to compel property

owners to maintain their assets to appropriate standards. Council can enforce owners

of property with 'unsightly' graffiti that is detrimental to the amenity of the

neighborhood to remove the graffiti. This is determined by the Authorised Officer.

Community Planning & Advocacy

01/04/2019

19/302978 – Page 3 of 3

Graffiti Prevention and Management Policy

4.3.

Council officers to refer to the internal Graffiti Removal Procedure that outlines the

process for removal of graffiti from various assets.