Public art push after Mt Dandenong Rd rail bridge hit by graffiti vandals again

A CROYDON railway bridge has been hit by graffiti vandals again, sparking calls for public art to be installed to stop the scourge.

Croydon's railway bridge has been tagged again after it was cleaned in December.

A CROYDON railway bridge has been hit by graffiti vandals again, sparking calls for public art to be installed.

Last year Maroondah Council finally reached an agreement with Metro Trains to clean up graffiti on the Mt Dandenong Rd railway bridge — which had been there for about four years — but part of the bridge has now been vandalised again.

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Croydon Central urban renewal project member Nathan Hill said it was disappointing and the council should have done more to prevent it happening again.

“Unfortunately we are back to where we started,” Mr Hill said.

“Simply cleaning the bridge only provided a blank canvas and didn’t fix this issue.

“The council missed a huge opportunity to have public art placed on the bridge.

“That’s what everyone we spoke too wanted and we collaborated with a renowned Melbourne-based street art studio who was interested in conceptualising the work.”

Croydon Central urban renewal project member Nathan Hill wants a mural similar to this one in Fitzroy painted on the Mt Dandenong Rd railway bridge.

Maroondah Mayor Nora Lamont said the council was extremely disappointed the bridge had been vandalised again.

“Not only is this an extremely dangerous act, given its location to the railway line and road underneath, it also tarnishes the appearance of the bridge for those travelling through the area,” Cr Lamont said.

She hoped the graffiti would be cleaned off urgency by Metro Trains, who were

responsible for the maintenance and management of the bridge.

Metro spokesman Marcus Williams said it was incredibly disappointing and frustrating that people continued to break the law and risk their lives to vandalise public infrastructure.

“We spend more than $10 million each year clearing graffiti from across Melbourne’s train network, money that could be better spent upgrading train services,” Mr Williams said.

“We encourage anyone who witnesses vandalism to call 000.”

Metro said it would continue to work with the council and was open to discussing any proposals to tackle the issue of vandalism, but said its removal of the graffiti on the bridge last year was a once-off gesture in recognition of community concern.