Grants to help wipe away graffiti

THE latest round of Graffiti Prevention Grants from the state government is now open, and local councils have been encouraged to apply.

The grants, of up to $30,000, provide funding for councils to team up with community groups, local police, schools and local businesses to deliver anti-graffiti projects.

Applicants are encouraged to develop a comprehensive approach to combating graffiti vandalism at a local-level.

Some of the projects that may be funded include:

• environmental design initiatives to improve natural surveillance
• adoption of anti-graffiti coating or graffiti resistant materials
• initiatives to cover walls vulnerable to graffiti vandalism such as vertical gardens and landscaping, murals and public art
• place-based activities that encourage space activation and community ownership to care for an area which is a graffiti hotspot
• graffiti removal activities and resources to support broader graffiti prevention efforts
• anti-graffiti education initiatives on laws relating to the sale of aerosol paint cans.

Since July 2015, the state government has allocated nearly $1.4 million towards 72 anti-graffiti projects across Victoria, including $247,219 for projects in the Surf Coast Shire.

Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney announced the opening of the grants last month.

“Graffiti can have such a negative effect on how a neighbourhood is perceived and is costly for councils, businesses and residents to prevent and remove,” she said.

“These Graffiti Prevention Grants provide an opportunity for the council to work with local community groups, to develop local solutions to graffiti hotspots in their local area.”

“These projects can make a real difference to the look and feel of the community, especially around safety and community pride.”

The grants are part of the state government’s Community Crime Prevention Program, which helps promote community safety and prevent crime across the state.

Applications for the latest round of Graffiti Prevention Grants close on April 20. Head to crimeprevention.vic.gov.au/graffitigrants.