Western Australia’s Bayswater City Council recently launched a regionally based graffiti control program. It is based on the principle of quick eradication deterring further offences.
At the launch, one of two rapid response teams demonstrated the removal of graffiti with a combination of pressurised hot water, mixed with caustics and alcohol. Following removal, the team recoats the painted brick surface with a high volume low pressure paint unit. “That’s how easy it is,” Mayor John D’Orazio said following the demonstration.
Residents are encouraged to support the campaign by phoning a Graffiti Campaign Hotline as soon as they sight offending material. Councillor D’Orazio said as soon as the backlog is cleared, the aim is to have fresh graffiti removed within one to four days.
“It is a big job, but we have put a lot of work into developing this campaign and are confident we can significantly reduce the prevalence of graffiti across the City,” he said. “Research has shown that the sooner graffiti is removed the less likely vandals are to hit that spot again.”
By having a regional focus he believes the campaign will be more effective. “The City has a reputation for being innovative and we continue to be a leader by becoming the first Western Australian Council , together with the Shire of Swan, to attack this menace on a regional basis as part of the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council,” the Mayor said.
“There is no point attacking graffiti at a local level without working in partnership with the municipalities around you. Otherwise you will just move the problem from one area to another. “It also makes it far more cost effective, with shared resources and administration enabling us all to target vandalism more quickly.”
For further information contact Director Planning and Development Services, Kevin Sproat, telephone (08) 9272 0639
