A streamlined process to tackle graffiti across Hume City is to go out for public consultation. The revised rules include a provision to remove graffiti from private land – something council has previously declined to do.
Council’s current policy was set in 2022, but in May last year councillor Jack Medcraft, who lost his Sunbury seat in the October local elections, asked for it be reviewed. The findings and recommendations came before council on Monday 24 March.
Councillors voted to accept the new policy for public consultation with two amendments added by Emu Creek Ward Cllr Kate Hamley:
Cllr Kate Hamley (Independent).
A feasibility study for council to consider a full or partial fee to extend graffiti removal to private property
Consideration of an annual process to receive written approval from private property owners adjoining public spaces, and public open spaces, that provides council with consent to remove graffiti
“Hopefully through the amendment we will get some reports done to look at ways that we can further assist our community with addressing this big problem,” she said.
“Our community is really fed up with graffiti everywhere and also fed up with some of the finger-pointing that goes on when working out who is responsible for cleaning it up.
“The revised graffiti policy works well for us on council assets, but it doesn’t seem to really go far enough for helping residents and businesses in our community to get rid of their graffiti issues as well.”
Council is required to meet the requirements of the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007. Part 4 of the act states: “A council may, in accordance with this section, take any action necessary to remove or obliterate graffiti on private property if the graffiti is visible from a public place.”
