Maroondah Council, Croydon MP David Hodgett back plan for street art mural on Croydon’s Mt Dandenong Rd railbridge

It was first floated by community campaigners in early 2017 - and now Croydon-based councillors and an MP are all in support of a mural on the Mt Dandenong Rd railbridge.

Croydon’s Mt Dandenong Rd railbridge has been an ongoing target for graffiti vandals. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A fresh push to transform Croydon’s vandalised railbridge with a colourful street art mural is gaining momentum.

Maroondah councillors, Croydon state Liberal MP David Hodgett and community campaigners have all backed the idea which was first floated in November 2017.

A mural has been viewed as a way of deterring graffiti vandals who have continually tagged the bridge in the past six years.

Metro Trains, who are responsible for its management and maintenance, cleaned the bridge as a one-off gesture in December 2017.

But vandals attacked the bridge again a month later and have gradually added small tags at each end.

Graffiti tags on the Croydon railbridge. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Maroondah Mayor Rob Steane said he and the council were “fans” of the mural idea.

Cr Steane said he wanted to see art on parts of the bridge within 12 months and the council was exploring options for funding.

“If it’s done right and doesn’t distract drivers, it has the potential to be a good gateway into Croydon,” Cr Steane said.

“We don’t like it (graffiti), and anything we can do to remove it, keep it removed and enhance infrastructure is always a good thing.”

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Fellow Wyrenna Ward councillors Marijke Graham and Tasa Damante also backed the idea.

Cr Graham said it would provide amazing exposure for local artists, while Cr Damante said she would support the idea if it was supported by the community, VicTrack and the State Government.

A mural has been viewed as a way to provide a welcoming gateway to Croydon. Picture: valeriu Campan

Mr Hodgett said a mural would be well received and he would advocate for one in state parliament.

“It took us months and years to get it (the bridge) cleaned up, and we don’t want to continually go through this process of tag and clean,” he said.

“As opposed to having a concrete wall getting vandalised, why not engage a group and make it more welcoming.”

Nathan Hill, who runs The Croydon Project Facebook page, said a mural would provide “major publicity for Croydon and a sense of community”.

A poll on Maroondah Leader’s Facebook page found 82 per cent of nearly 550 voters supported the idea.

Maroondah Leader understands Metro Trains is introducing a new program to allow councils to apply to put a mural on its rail infrastructure.

Metro spokesman James Ireland said it would welcome the opportunity to work with Maroondah Council on a suitable project.

Department of Transport spokesman Jordy Jeffrey-Bailey also said the department would also welcome any proposals and urged the council to get in touch.

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