Bendigo council to adopt graffiti policy after spending thousands on vandalism across the city

Bendigo council spent thousands removing graffiti across Central Victoria and a policy protecting infrastructure is desperately needed, a new report says.

Bendigo council spent $52,000 removing graffiti across 150 places vandalised during the 2019-2020 financial year, a new report has revealed.

City of Greater Bendigo is set to discuss the removal of graffiti at its council meeting on Monday.

Councillors will be asked to adopt a policy which will establish a “co-ordinated approach to preventing, managing and removing graffiti within the municipality”.

Once it has been endorsed, council plans to create an internal organisation to provide clarification around the key steps to undertake and identify roles and responsibilities within the organisation for graffiti management.

The council can remove graffiti on public and council owned property, and by request, can remove graffiti on property not managed by the council.

The Graffiti Prevention Act allows for graffiti on private property to be removed, but must have permission of the owner.

According to the report, council’s approach to managing graffiti has been inconsistent and its position does not have a defined guidance or policy.

There is also no guarantee the council takes into consideration preventive measures for asset management, design, redesign and the refurbishment of assets owned by the council.

Council will vote on the new policy at its ordinary meeting Monday night.