By BRIDGET COOK
THE City of Casey has expressed its frustration over other authorities which it says are failing to clean up their act when it comes to removing graffiti in the municipality.
At last week’s council meeting, councillors moved a number of motions aimed at eradicating graffiti locally and urging other responsible authorities to co-operate with them.
Councillors resolved to approach VicTrack and discuss the possibility of leasing the space on either side of the rail overpass on Narre Warren – Cranbourne Road so the council would be able to clean up the graffiti.
The council also decided to write again to VicRoads and request that it clean up the graffiti on all its infrastructure in the Hallam bypass, something the council has requested numerous times in the past.
In January, Casey wrote to both State Government authorities offering to clean up the graffiti for them on a cost recovery basis – an offer which was not taken up.
Councillor Sam Aziz said it was unacceptable for graffiti to still remain on the overpass, which was a main gateway to the city.
“All our attempts to have this cleaned up by the responsible authority have been in vain,” he said.
“I want to explore for us to take it off their hands, clean it up and possibly use it as a point of signage for us to promote things going on in Casey.”
The council will also write to VicRoads and again request it clean up the graffiti along the Hallam Bypass.
“In the council’s correspondence to VicRoads, we remind them again that council is prepared to undertake the cleaning operation on a cost recovery basis,” Cr Aziz said.
“It’s disappointing to see how much of an impact we have had on cleaning up graffiti in Casey, but other government departments let us down.”
VicTrack spokeswoman Nicola Holland said the overpass in questions was leased to Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) which was responsible for the graffiti removal.
“This lease arrangement is legislated and applies across the entire metropolitan Melbourne rail network,” she said.
“VicTrack is unable to sub-lease any part of the assets already leased to MTM.”
VicRoads Metropolitan South East acting regional director Michael Barker said graffiti frustrated his organisation as much as it frustrated the community.
“VicRoads undertakes inspections of the Monash Freeway on a daily basis and any graffiti that is considered racist, offensive or has road safety implications is removed as soon as possible,” he said.
“Since July 2013, VicRoads has removed over 6000 square metres of graffiti from the Monash Freeway, including the Hallam Bypass.
“VicRoads is happy to work with the Casey Council to identify alternative options to address graffiti vandalism.
“Due to occupational health and safety issues relating to working in high speed environments, such as freeways, VicRoads needs to ensure graffiti removal works do not compromise both the safety of workers and road users.”
At the council meeting, councillors also resolved to organise a graffiti forum to be held in August or September where all neighbouring municipalities would be invited to attend.
Councillor Wayne Smith said he wanted to hold a forum with neighbouring municipalities to share the successes of Casey’s program with them as well as get tips from other councils.
“Casey is one of the leaders in graffiti removal,” he said.
“Cardinia councillor Jodie Owen also recently attended an international graffiti conference in the USA, so we would love to hear about that.
“Our method, while it might cost a bit more, is effective and it works.
“Let’s share our programs and let other cities know what we’re doing but also find out what other councils are doing.”
