1. Purpose

To provide guidance and an integrated framework to manage and minimise the impact of graffiti.

To provide guidance to the manner in which Council administers the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 where property owners have a legal obligation to remove graffiti from their own property

2. Scope

This strategy will apply to all aspects of graffiti within the Municipality.

3. References

Graffiti Prevention Act 2007

4. Definitions

Objective

The objective of the strategy is to minimise the negative impacts of illegal graffiti and recognise the need for a coordinated and multifaceted approach.

Historically this was identified as the 3-pillar approach of Rapid Removal, Policing and Prevention. In line with current “Best Practice” our strategy is based on Eradication, Education, Engagement and Enforcement (4E’s principle).

Best practice graffiti reduction models, both nationally and internationally, recognise the importance of graffiti prevention. The City of Greater Geelong has had a successful Graffiti Removal framework since 2001 that focuses on active engagement and the rapid removal of graffiti.

Council supports the following graffiti prevention principles:

• 5.1 Eradication – Based on a program of Rapid Removal.
  The Graffiti Team will coordinate with other Council Departments and private property owners to ensure graffiti is removed as quickly as possible
• 5.2 Education - Provide Community education and information to ensure a whole of community proactive approach to graffiti prevention.
• 5.3 Engagement - Active engagement with all ages within the community to educate them on the consequences of engaging in illegal graffiti activity and to provide appropriate avenues for creativity and skill development opportunities.
• 5.4 Enforcement –Work with the Victoria Police to support their efforts in prosecuting graffiti vandals.

Council will continue to implement and promote graffiti prevention strategies including:

• Rapid removal of graffiti. Prompt removal discourages the recurrence of graffiti as it reduces the exposure time of the graffiti and makes the graffiti physically easier to remove.
• Use of street art: Located in site appropriate locations that contribute to the amenity of the area and prevent illegal graffiti on the site.
• Implementing CPTED principals during the planning process: To develop safe and welcoming public spaces that improves perceptions of safety and encourages crime prevention. These include improved lighting, landscape plantings, surface finishes (i.e. texture and colour), and property maintenance.
• Department of Justice and Regulation: Continue our long-standing partnership with the Department of Justice and Regulation, Community Corrections Graffiti Removal Program (GRP) to remove from as many sites in the City of Greater Geelong area that are suitable under the current Memorandum of Understanding.
   

5.1 Graffiti Eradication

The Council will attempt to remove any graffiti reported by Council officers or the public within 5 working days or 24hours for offensive graffiti.  This removal will be undertaken in accordance to the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007.

• 5.1.1 Graffiti Removal from Council and public property.
  Council will continue to remove graffiti from its property in a timely manner. Council will maintain a target of rapid removal of offensive graffiti on Council property within 24 hours and of non-offensive within five (5) working days.
  To deter graffiti and support the apprehension of offenders, Council will maintain a record of graffiti in a central register.
• 5.1.1.1 Graffiti removal on public arts assets
  Public art refers to works of art in any media that have been planned and executed with the specific intention of being sited or staged in the physical public domain, usually outside and accessible to all. Where graffiti is located on public art assets, initial contact must be made with the Graffiti Team who in turn will contact the Public Art Officer to determine the most appropriate graffiti removal methodology.

5.1.2 Graffiti Removal on private property and assets

As per the Graffiti Prevention act 2007 section 22: which states “Nothing in this Part imposes a duty on a Council to remove or obliterate graffiti from private property.”

Graffiti removal on private property and assets is the responsibility of the property owners however there are a number of ways that Council can help property owners.
These include:

• Graffiti Removal Kits for residents - Graffiti removal kits are made available at Council’s Customer Service Centres for residents who have graffiti on their property.
• Removal from Private Property - removal of graffiti from private property where damaged surface is unpainted brick (not sandstone or other highly porous products), wood, concrete or untreated metal surfaces. These works will be completed by either our contractor or Department of Correction's crews.
• Council will utilise the provisions of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 to remove graffiti from private property by gaining consent from the property owner through issuing of notices under Sections 18(2) and 18(3) of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007.
• Inaccessible graffiti
  Council may enter private property for the purpose of removing or obliterating graffiti if it serves a notice under the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 to the owner or occupier at least 28 days before the action is proposed to be taken; and the owner or occupier of the property has given written consent to do so or does not object.
• Accessible graffiti
  If entry to private property is not necessary, Council must serve notice under the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 at least 10 days before the action to remove or obliterate the graffiti is proposed to be taken; and the owner or occupier of the property has given consent to do so or does not object.

5.1.3 Offensive graffiti removal
Under the provisions of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007 Council can take action to remove or obliterate graffiti from private property when graffiti is deemed offensive in nature or when it is affecting community perceptions of safety. The removal of obscene or offensive graffiti will be fast-tracked through immediate contact with the property owner or their representative. The Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 may be used to support fast removal. The Act makes it illegal to write racist graffiti in public places.
 

5.2 Graffiti Education

5.2.1 Graffiti Education and Prevention Initiatives
From time to time Council will deliver graffiti prevention initiatives that provide opportunities to educate young people and the broader community about the impacts and consequences for those involved in illegal graffiti.These initiatives inform the community and ensure they are aware of what they can do if they see graffiti. This will help to foster a sense of pride in their community.

5.2.2 Graffiti Hotline
Council will continue to provide the Graffiti Hotline for residents to report graffiti on public and private property within the municipality.
 

5.3 Engagement

As appropriate projects and opportunities become available, Council Departments will work collaboratively to develop programs which include some or all members of community that will have the scope to allow for education, artistic expression and graffiti prevention within key locations within the City of Greater Geelong. These projects can include people of all ages and abilities, diverse cultural backgrounds, trader associations and community groups.
 

5.4 Enforcement

• 5.4.1   Council will work with the Victoria Police to support their efforts in prosecuting graffiti vandals by providing data when required and reporting any marked or changed graffiti activity when identified.
• 5.4.2   Council will encourage private property owners to take prompt and reasonable steps to ensure removal of graffiti.  This will be undertaken in accordance to the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007.
   

6. Public Art/Street Art

Council celebrates the diverse nature of its creative communities and values the unique role that street art can play in the cultural fabric of the community.
 

6.1 Property Owners

Prior to commencing a project, property owners are encouraged to contact the Public Art Officer to discuss how a street art project may enhance the visual presence of their property.

The Public Art Officer will work with property owners to ensure that high quality, dynamic and engaging street art projects are developed.

Council will provide advice in relation to the proposed design, the life of the project, how to successfully engage an artist and establish shared expectations about the work with neighbouring properties.
 

6.2 Artists

The Public Art Officer will work with established and emerging artists to ensure that projects are creatively engaging for the community, completed in a safe and professional manner and that artists are appropriately remunerated for their work.

The Public Art Officer will work closely with the Graffiti Unit to support and provide a diverse range of creative opportunities for young people who have be involved in acts of graffiti.