Graffiti Management Policy & Plan

Devonport City Council has adopted a Graffiti Management Policy and Plan which will see a whole of community approach to tackling this increasing issue.

The policy, which was born out of concerns raised by members of the Devonport Community Safety & Liaison Group facilitated by Council and the general public, is one of many initiatives that will be implemented by Council in the coming months to address graffiti and vandalism.

The Graffiti Management Plan will be used to minimise the impact of graffiti and related issues within the City of Devonport; building an integrated approach to graffiti management where the local community plays an active role in graffiti prevention and removal. Council will engage local residents and businesses in the implementation of this plan to reduce the incidence of graffiti across Devonport.

Key strategies of the policy aim to:

• Prevent the occurrence of illegal graffiti through rapid removal;
• Educate the community about the illegality of graffiti;
• Prevent the re occurrence of illegal graffiti through the prosecution of offenders;
• Lessen the negative financial and social impact of illegal graffiti; and
• Reduce the fear of crime in the community.

Implementation strategy includes:

• Regular inspections and removal of graffiti based on assessment;
• Photographic recording of graffiti to assist police in identifying offenders;
• Promote the reporting of graffiti within community safety promotional material developed in collaboration with Council Infrastructure Services; and
• Support private property owners in relation to the quick removal of graffiti through the Graffiti Incentive Program.

Graffiti Policy and Plan 44.24 Kb

Vandalism Education Program

Council has implemented a Vandalism Education program in primary and secondary schools. The program includes graffiti education, and a smiliar program run in the City of Casey in Victoria has seen an 85% reduction in the incidence of new graffiti over three years.

The youth development program focusses on informing and educating all Year 5 and Year 8 students on the consequences of undertaking vandalism/graffiti/tagging and reducing the occurrence of new vandalism/graffiti through professional delivery of the program specifically designed in consultation with Council Officers. The program aims to provide the students with an understanding of the physical and mental costs of vandalism/graffiti/tagging to them, the school, and the community. This program is funded through the Australian Government's Attorney General's Department until April 2012. It also includes provision for Council staff to work with student groups within schools, promoting anti-vandalism awareness projects and encouraging students to take ownership of their school and community.