‘What did Sally learn?’: Residents ask what Lord Mayor learnt on Singapore trip as graffiti sits idle for months

Ugly graffiti on the Sandridge Bridge across the Yarra River has been sitting untouched for nine months — as the City of Melbourne await “permits” to be able to clear it.

Graffiti on the Sandridge Bridge has been there since March 23, 2023.

Graffiti has been left on Sandridge Bridge for several months as Town Hall dithers in its efforts to remove the unsightly tags.

Despite the council this week trumpeting a new graffiti and cleaning contract would fast-track its removal across the city, unsightly tags remain on Sandridge Bridge nine months after a local resident complained about them.

Southbank resident Craig McIntosh said he first reported the graffiti in March and there was several months of back and forth with the council, with them on occasion claiming the work had been completed when it had not.

Southbank residents are wondering why it’s taking so long to clean.

“It’s not too hard for the graffiti vandals to access the bridge and definitely not too hard for those tasked with installing the decorations then why is it so hard for the graffiti cleaners to access?” he said.

“Sally Capp was happy to jump on a plane to Singapore ahead of the responsible managers to find out how they keep their city so clean. What did Sally learn? What was the benefit of the trip?”

Ms Capp’s trip to Singapore to attend the World Cities Summit cost ratepayers a total $30,550 in airfares, hotels and other expenses for the three-person delegation.

Mr McIntosh said the council’s initial efforts to paint over sections of the bridge that had graffiti on it were not up to standard.

“They have painted over some of it and it is a very dodgy job – I reckon school kids could have done a better job,” he said.

“I love the city but I hate the way it is looking. It’s so sad what it has gotten to.”

Mr McIntosh asked what Lord Mayor Sally Capp learnt in her trip to Singapore. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Mr McIntosh said the Lord Mayor and council bureaucracy were not doing enough to keep the city clean.

“This is part of the ongoing mismanagement of the city by this council which has not been able to address the graffiti, rubbish and slime on CBD footpaths, streets, buildings, the river and laneways,” he said.

“This graffiti is seen clearly from cars and trams on the Queens Bridge and Southbank Promenade – both popular tourist and visitor thoroughfares.

“Visitors using the tourist boats on the river get a great view of the graffiti the current council ignores.”

The City of Melbourne say the graffiti should be removed soon. Picture: Mark Stewart

A City of Melbourne spokesman said the graffiti would be removed from the bridge in coming weeks – but he could not give a definitive timeline.

“Removing graffiti from this location is highly complex, and must be carried out in stages. It requires various permits and co-ordination with Parks Victoria to remove litter traps from the Yarra River – Birrarung,” he said.

“The removal works requires the use of a specialised barge and equipment that is not easily accessible.

“Plans to remove the graffiti is well underway and will be completed in the coming weeks, including correcting the color (sic) matching due to natural fading on the bridge.”