Telstra on board

By Lia Bichel
AN END may be in sight to the months-long conflict between the City of Casey and Telstra over a graffiti-painted substation in Cranbourne.
Cr Steve Beardon said Telstra spokeswoman Jane Oakley had recently contacted him to resolve the issue, after the council had made several attempts to get Telstra to clean up the graffiti-ridden property.
Ms Oakley said Telstra was taking the necessary steps to clean the substation, including working with Graffiti Hurts Australia to create a mural on a board that can be mounted to the side of the building. She said Telstra wanted to work with the not-for-profit organisation, the council and youth groups to create a design that would be acceptable by the community.
“We want to have good communication with the community and with council,” she said.
“We are hoping that the outcome is positive. Our experience is that, when repainting graffiti, two days later vandalism occurs again. So this is a good community program, which will include industry, community and council.”
Telstra has not announced any commencement and completion dates so far, but Ms Oakley said the organisation hoped to meet this week with Graffiti Hurts Australia and the council to determine an agreed time line.
Cr Beardon said he was pleased with Telstra’s decisions and optimistic that the project would be completed as soon as possible.
“I’m sure there won’t be any mucking around,” he said.
“The fact that they are making a positive move forward suits me just fine.”