By BRIDGET COOK
THE City of Casey has urged State Government authorities to clean-up their act in the fight against graffiti and has offered to take lead responsibility.
Following the proliferation of graffiti across the municipality in the past month, particularly on the Monash Freeway and rail overpasses, Casey has called on the responsible authorities to work with the council to take immediate action.
At a council meeting last week, councillors resolved to advise VicRoads and Public Transport Victoria that the council was prepared to remove the graffiti within the boundaries of city immediately, on a cost recovery basis.
VicRoads Metropolitan South East regional director Adam Maguire said VicRoads would be willing to discuss this proposal with the council.
Casey councillor Sam Aziz, who moved the motion, said this would be the council’s preferred option to ensure the matter was resolved quickly.
He said the council was frustrated by the lack of action taken by state authorities to remove graffiti tags swiftly.
“In recent weeks, more and more graffiti tags have appeared on the sound walls and overpasses along the Monash Freeway, and on the rail overpass at Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road – this is completely unacceptable,” he said.
“Council has resolved to write to VicRoads and Public Transport Victoria requesting the immediate removal of graffiti from the Monash Freeway and this rail overpass.
“Council is prepared to remove graffiti from these assets on a cost recovery basis if permission is received from these state authorities.”
Cr Aziz said the council had no tolerance for graffiti.
“Since council’s graffiti management program commenced in 2002, there has been a marked decrease in the visibility of graffiti tags across Casey,” he said.
“We encourage these state authorities to work with council and to follow our lead.”
Mr Maguire, from VicRoads, did no comment on when all the graffiti along the Monash Freeway would be removed.
“VicRoads undertakes inspections of the Monash Freeway on a daily basis,” he said.
“Any graffiti that we consider racist, offensive or has road safety implications is removed as soon as practical.
“Since June last year we have removed over 2500 square metres of graffiti from along the Monash Freeway.
“Our maintenance crews keep up a regular cleaning regime, which includes removing graffiti from places such as safety signs or directional signs.”
Mr Maguire said VicRoads would be willing to talk to Casey about allowing the council to clean up the graffiti.
“VicRoads and the City of Casey have a good working relationship in road safety and any matters that impact the performance of the arterial road network in the municipality,” he said.
“VicRoads is happy to discuss with council any community issues, and this specific proposal, regarding graffiti vandalism in the City of Casey.”
City of Casey Mayor Geoff Ablett encouraged residents to report all instances of graffiti.
“Council has an extensive graffiti management program, comprising eradication, education, enforcement and engagement,” he said.
“Council removes all graffiti from all qualifying privately-owned residential, commercial and industrial properties at no cost to the property owner.
“In most cases the graffiti is removed within one working day, and within four hours for offensive graffiti.”
In 2012/13, the council removed 22,794 square metres of graffiti, 1188 calls were made to the Graffiti Hotline and 139 education sessions were conducted by Casey with 8420 students attending these sessions.
To report graffiti call Casey’s Graffiti Hotline on 1800 VANDAL (1800 826 325).
