AusNet in no rush to remove graffiti on Ringwood North power pole because it’s not offensive

A Ringwood North man who wants unsightly vandalism removed from a power pole in his street says he’s been told not to do it himself. But when he asked the power company to take action, they said it would take up to three months — here’s why.

The vandalised power pole is on the corner of Melview Drive and Terrigal Close, Ringwood North. Source: Google Maps

A Ringwood North man claims a power provider won’t remove graffiti near his house for up to three months because it is not racist or offensive.

Melview Drive resident Stephen Peake called Maroondah Council and power company AusNet on June 24 after he noticed the orange tags on a power pole on the corner of his street and nearby Terrigal Close.

The council passed Mr Peake onto AusNet who asked him to send details and a photo.

After no response, he called AusNet again on July 3, when a representative told him it could take up to three months to remove it.

AusNet and the council also told Mr Peake not to paint over the graffiti on the pole due to safety fears.

“Unless it’s defamatory they won’t do anything about it, but they won’t let the resident do anything about it either,” Mr Peake said.

“There’s no other graffiti and it’s a pretty good area … I’m just trying to make the area look tidy.”

The vandalised power pole in Melview Drive, Ringwood North. Picture: Supplied

Mr Peake said he feared the graffiti would be forgotten given the long timeline for repairs.

“I can understand they get hundreds of these things all the time and can’t keep up with them … but to wait three months is ridiculous,” he said. “I can’t imagine someone turning up in three months time.”

AusNet spokeswoman Helena Lilley did not answer questions about what types of graffiti the company prioritised for removal or how many outstanding jobs it had.

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But Ms Lilley said workers would attempt to remove the graffiti in Melview Drive “as soon as practicable”.

“The removal of graffiti is scheduled into a broader maintenance program and attended to in line with other maintenance works already being carried out in the area,” she said.

“While we aim to remove graffiti as soon as we can, attending to jobs that impact the safe operation of our equipment must remain our priority.”

Maroondah Mayor Rob Steane said the council had a dedicated team which aimed to remove graffiti on any council property within 24-72 hours.

But Cr Steane said council was not authorised to remove illegal graffiti from infrastructure it didn’t own.
“This includes power poles, which must be maintained by the owner and their representatives with the appropriate safety training,” he said.

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