Away with the spray

By Melissa Meehan
YARRA Ranges councillor and chairman of the Graffiti Management Group Terry Avery has welcomed the State Government’s tough new anti graffiti laws.
Last week the Mail reported that laws had been introduced into State Parliament make graffiti a specific offence under the new Graffiti Prevention Act.
Cr Avery said the council applauded moves that crack down on graffiti vandalism.
“Graffiti vandalism costs Yarra Ranges’ ratepayers tens of thousands of dollars each year.
“These new laws give police greater powers to tackle the problem, including the ability to search and seize graffiti related items and restrict the sale of aerosol spray cans to minors,” Cr Avery said.
“Councils, police and the State Government are playing their part, now it is up to the courts to reinforce the seriousness of these offences.”
Cr Avery said the council also supported a stronger focus on making offenders responsible for cleaning up graffiti.
“Graffiti vandals must be made to pay for the damage they cause, whether it’s through heavier fines, serving prison time or by being made to clean up their damage – the punishment must fit the crime,” Cr Avery said.
Cr Avery said the council was currently working with Corrections Victoria on a program involving corrections program participants removing graffiti.
“More than 2500 square metres of graffiti has been painted out on paling fences as part of this program,” Cr Avery said.
Cr Avery said the council had in place a number of initiatives to tackle graffiti vandalism, including providing free graffiti removal kits to residents and vouchers for discounted paint to paint over graffiti.
From 1 July the council will also be providing vouchers for free paint and extending the availability of the graffiti removal kits to schools, businesses and community groups.
The council has also worked with a number of communities to develop localised graffiti action plans and to support graffiti removal.