City of Ballarat extends graffiti program to clean up our streets

The City of Ballarat will partner with community and businesses to tackle the ongoing challenge of graffiti as part of a new trial program.

With graffiti escalating across the municipality, the Graffiti Removal Program will empower residents and businesses to remove graffiti from their homes and workplaces at no cost.

The City of Ballarat has previously focused on removing graffiti on City of Ballarat assets only, such as public toilets, skateparks, bus shelters and community facilities.

Councils are usually unable to remove graffiti from non-Council assets, those of third parties, such as utility suppliers and transport providers (for example – power poles, railway and waterway infrastructure), and the assets of private businesses.

However, under the new initiative, third parties and businesses will be able to enter into an agreement with the City of Ballarat that enables the graffiti team to clean up the vandalism. Businesses can also access graffiti cleaning kits to clean up the vandalism themselves.

The trial program includes increased cleaning and staffing resources on the ground, an additional new graffiti trailer and the graffiti cleaning kits.

City of Ballarat Deputy Mayor, Cr Ben Taylor said tagging and vandalism can impact how we all feel about our city, but by working together, we can make a real difference.

“Graffiti isn’t just a City of Ballarat problem – it's something we all need to tackle together as a community,” he said.

“While the City of Ballarat works hard to clean up our streets, keeping our properties and businesses looking their best requires everyone’s help.

“We’re all proud of our community so let’s protect it and keep it looking vibrant and welcoming.”

The cleaning kits will help residents and businesses remove low level graffiti, including paint and tags, and can be collected from Customer Service at The Phoenix Building, 25 Armstrong Street South, Ballarat.

Residents can also use the City of Ballarat’s online form or use the Snap Send Solve app to report graffiti on City of Ballarat property.

Residents can find out more about the Graffiti Removal Program and collect a free graffiti cleaning kit from the City of Ballarat’s Property and Facilities Management team at the Let’s Chat Ballarat – Community Expo, being held at the Civic Hall this Thursday 20 March, from 4-8pm, and Friday 21 March, from 9am-1pm.

The trial program will run for 18 months. For more information visit ballarat.vic.gov.au/property/graffiti-removal.