Calls for CCTV to nab graffiti vandals in Banyule

Graffiti plastered across Banyule sporting reserves has sparked calls for CCTV cameras to be installed in a bid to wipe out the scourge.

The community is calling for CCTV cameras to catch graffiti vandals.

Graffiti plastered across Banyule sporting reserves has sparked calls for CCTV cameras to be installed in a bid to wipe out the scribbling scourge.

Club members told the Leader vandals were regularly tagging building exteriors, club houses and changerooms at sporting grounds around Banyule.

Problem spots reported were Olympic Park in Heidelberg West and Partingtons Flat in Greensborough.

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It is believed vandals would reoffend between just 24-48 hours after a council clean-up.

Heidelberg United Football Club committee member Sally Tsalikidis said more needed to be done to stop graffiti vandals at Olympic Park.

“The pavilion gets graffiti all the time, it is just constant,” she said.

“We have to try and stop them, rather than cleaning up after them all the time.

“They’re doing a lot of damage.”

Problem spots for graffiti included sporting reserves such as Olympic Park in Heidelberg West and Partingtons Flat in Greensborough. Picture: Richard Serong

Banyule Council announced it would crack down on graffiti under its new Graffiti Management Strategy for 2019-2022.

The council would tackle areas of reporting, prevention and removal of graffiti in the four year strategy.

“Graffiti can impact how safe people feel and it damages the look and feel of our neighbourhood,” Banyule Mayor, Cr Wayne Phillips.

“We won’t be able to eliminate it, but I’m confident we can put effective graffiti management plans in place.”

The maximum fine for marking publicly visible graffiti in Victoria is $38,057 and up to two years’ jail.

Around 37 incidents were reported to Heidelberg Police in the year 2017-18.

Senior sergeant Ben Davies said high traffic areas with minimal supervision such as sporting clubs and shopping centres were known hot spots for graffiti.

Ms Tsalikidis called for CCTV cameras to be installed at the sporting reserve to catch offenders.

“We need CCTV around there — that might stop them,” she said.

“Every weekend there’s clubs coming to visit and it makes your area look bad.”

Banyule Council has budgeted $183,000 for graffiti removal this year.

The council said they were currently consulting with the community, but CCTV could be an option.

Community members can submit feedback on the issue until March via shaping.banyule.vic.gov.au

To report illegal graffiti phone: [phone].

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