Councils can now apply for funding in a bid to wipe out graffiti.
The Victorian government grants program, launched on March 15, provides up to $25,000 for graffiti prevention projects across the state.
The funding announcement coincided with the most recent vandalism of Caroline Springs playgrounds in Edgbaston Parade and St Georges Avenue reserves, which are frequently targeted by taggers.
A graffiti response team, established by Melton council in July last year, aims to clean up the problem as soon as possible.
Operations manager Leslie Stokes said the council-funded response team had made a significant difference in the area.
“The service has been seen as very positive and the community is seeing the difference and making comment on the changes,” he said.
“The graffiti response team is also removing graffiti from assets that are not council-owned and this has been a major change since the introduction of the team.
“Council is working diligently to remove graffiti soon after it appears in an effort to reduce the likelihood of it reappearing.
“Graffiti is often random in its occurrence, but there are areas where graffiti is monitored, regularly. These locations often change.”
Mr Stokes said the council would review the graffiti prevention grant this year and consider expanding the service with other possible projects that could be funded through government funding.
Grants can go towards anti-graffiti art projects, a graffiti removal trailer to help community groups remove tags, and monthly clean-up days or education programs in partnership with Victoria Police.
Parliamentary Secretary for Justice Ben Carroll urged local councils across the state looking for ways to combat graffiti to apply.
“The graffiti prevention grants encourage local councils to work with their communities and grassroots organisations to harness local solutions to the problem of graffiti,” he said.
Applications close at 4pm, April 29. They can be submitted online at www.crimeprevention.vic.gov.au/graffitigrants
