Brush up: How graffiti artists on Coast could see brighter future

Council hopes a bid to tackle graffiti across the coast will help artists see there’s more they can do with their talent: Here are some of the tactics being taken to try to clean up the problem.

The council hopes their bid to tackle graffiti seen across the coast will help artists see there’s more they can do with their talent.

A Fraser Coast Regional Councillor believes a deterrent measure to stop graffiti on the Coast, may “show graffiti artists there are better ways to express themselves.”

In Wednesday’s council meeting a concern was raised about the amount of graffiti seen across the region and a policy to help solve the issue was adopted.

The Graffiti Management and Murals Policy aims to create more murals in graffiti hotspots in a bid to discourage vandalism.

Councillor David Lee said murals had a number of benefits but most importantly, demonstrated how “in demand” artists were.

“They brighten up areas and attract public attention to an area, which may deter graffiti,” Cr Lee said.

“They also show graffiti artists there are better ways to express themselves, there has been a boom in murals around the country on everything from laneway walls to huge grain silos.

“Mural artists are now in demand and painting murals has become a profession.”

Cr David Lee with the newly adopted Graffiti Management and Murals Policy.

A whale mural painted on the wall of the Repco building next to the Mary to Bay Rail Trail at Pialba was the first of the policy.

Current paintings include a mural on the wall of the Signature Building, adjacent to Torquay Road, and artwork on the footpath at Lupton Park in Maryborough.

The policy aims to:

• Have graffiti removed as quickly as practicable
• Reduce the incidence and visibility of graffiti
• Engage community participation in graffiti removal and prevention
• Develop partnerships with community organisations to assist in graffiti removal and prevention
• Work with the Police, the community and other government agencies in dealing with graffiti offenders

The council has also purchased 200 graffiti cleaning kits as part of the policy.

For more information on the policy and tackling graffiti, visit here.