Kim Powell looks at the different ways some councils have approached the problem of graffiti.

Brisbane City Council

The issue of graffiti in Brisbane is being tackled by the Brisbane City Council and Queensland Government agencies.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Paul Lucas says the majority of graffiti vandalism involves criminal trespass, which is dangerous for the public and public transport staff, and that Queensland’s rail service (QR) will spend $2 million this financial year getting rid of graffiti.

“Penalties are severe with up to seven years jail for graffiti that is obscene or indecent,” Mr Lucas said in a statement.

“Public Transport is a safe way to travel, but the presence of unsightly graffiti can unsettle people’s sense of safety. It can send the wrong message to the community that crime is on the rise. On top of that, it’s an eyesore.”

He said about 4000 incidents of graffiti are reported each year and most of the graffiti on city train stations is removed within 24 hours. However, much of the graffiti that can be seen from the QR network is on the walls of adjoining buildings, so the Government is working with Brisbane City Council and property owners to remove the graffiti and prevent more damage. The Council maintains a database of photographs and details of all vandalism, including tags.

QR CEO Bob Scheuber says the organisation was looking at different ways to discourage graffiti, including mural art at train stations.

“It is all part of QR’s positive pARTnerships program, which is about working with the community to improve the look of our stations which are visited by thousands of people every day,” he says.

“Every time a young person ventures near trains and rail tracks to paint graffiti, they are putting themselves at high risk.”

City of Melbourne

When updating its graffiti policy, the City of Melbourne has taken the creative approach, recognising that not only is a zero tolerance attitude to graffiti not possible, but it is not desirable in a vibrant, artistic city.

The strategy, which is now on public consultation before going to a council meeting at the end of August, revolves around a permit scheme that allows building owners or occupiers (with the permission of the owners) to apply for a permit to have street art on their building wall.

A council committee will assess the application for things such as the location and whether the street art is appropriate for that site. Of course, art that is obscene will not be allowed and neither will tagging, but a certain element of stencilling will be permissible.
Melbourne is known for its laneways, and the permit scheme recognises that a certain amount of graffiti, especially in the laneways, is a vital part of the city. 

In 2002, the Laneway Commissions project started, transforming Melbourne’s lanes into public art galleries. This year, it has expanded to comprise six contemporary works by Australian and overseas artists, that will be on display until January 2007.

Penrith City Council, NSW

Penrith City Council in NSW is in the process of revising its graffiti policy, from a zero tolerance approach into one that involves partnerships with the business community and local police officers.

Carl Spears, spokesman for Penrith City Council, says that while previously they only took responsibility for graffiti on council property, a special rate rise this year means graffiti that is on private property but can be viewed from a public space will also be removed.

The rate increase, which will see $661,500 allocated for graffiti prevention and removal in 2006-07, has allowed additional prevention crews to be created and a tender is out for contractors as well.

“We’re building partnerships with commercial businesses and we’re continuing our relationship with the local police area commands,” says Mr Spears.

“We’ve found that the best prevention in the past has actually been removal: remove it quickly and remove it often. It dispirits them [and] that’s quite often the best form of prevention.”

Penrith has a three-pronged approach: removal, prevention and education. Mr Spears says the council is working with the local area command police to develop the prevention and education aspects of the graffiti strategy.

“It’s all gearing up now because we’ve got the resources,” he says.

“We’ve looked at quite a few things, we’ve done studies of other areas and been in contact with other councils to work out what’s worked and what hasn’t in their areas.”

Mr Spears says council is also working with commercial property owners and businesses in the area to work out the best way to tackle this increased role in graffiti management.

“Graffiti is a bugger, it frustrates councillors and it frustrates police as well,” he says.

“The community has definitely had enough and if we can get out there and alleviate it as much as we can I’m sure they would appreciate it.”