Graffiti Policy

Background

This policy has been formulated in recognition of the continuing prevalence of graffiti within Warringah. The presence of graffiti is of ongoing concern to the general community as well as to Council, both for its adverse impact on the environment, streetscape and for its considerable cost in removal.

Purpose

This policy provides Council with a framework through which to respond to the proliferation of graffiti in Warringah. It provides a set of principles covering both the removal of current and future graffiti from public places, and the creation of conditions that may contribute to a reduction in the amount of new graffiti.

Scope

The policy provides guidelines for Council in responding to graffiti on Council property. Because Council cannot compel private landowners to remove graffiti, it is largely dependent on public cooperation, goodwill and financial capacity to achieve an overall reduction of graffiti in Warringah.

Objectives

To enhance Warringah’s built and natural environment by reducing the incidence of graffiti within Warringah.
To remove graffiti as quickly as practicable as a strict deterent.
To develop a ‘best practice" graffiti reduction model.
To work with neighbouring councils and the other tiers of government in reducing graffiti.
To work with Police, the community and government agencies in identifying graffiti offenders and in dealing with them via legal and other means such as training or community service programs.
To develop a partnership with the local community to reduce graffiti including involving young people as partners and advisors in reducing graffiti.

Policy principles

Council recognises the value of programs which focus on the prevention of graffiti before it occurs as being complementary to those aimed at removing it once it has been applied.
Council recognises the need for a continuing program to remove graffiti from its own property and to encourange its removal from private property.
Council recognises that all measures take to remove graffiti need to be cost effective.
Council recognises the importance of developing and maintaining community partnerships to assist in the effort to reduce graffiti. This particularly applies to the reporting of graffiti, the removal of graffiti from private land, and the identifying of potential legal artwork sites.
Council recognises that any strategy to reduce the incidence of graffiti should contain an enforcement element so as to ensure that serious offenders are appropriately dealt with through the proper legal channels.
Council will involve young people in its anti-graffiti program.
Council recognises the need to help enforce an environment in which young people are valued and their needs are integral to local planning. Such actions support an environment where graffiti is minimised.

Relationship to Council's Strategies, Plans of Management and Strategic Plans

Council's forthcoming Youth Policy and Strategy provides a model of planning that is inclusive of young people. The Anti-Graffiti Strategy reflects these principles in that it seeks to involve young people in the planning and coordination of the program.

The Recreation and Youth Strategies each recognise the link between the provision of appropriate services, facilities and programs for young people, and their development of a sense of commitment to and respect for their local community.

Council's Cultural Strategy also recognises the need for the development of a distinctive local identity and character which is inclusive of the entire community and where the culture of all sections of the community are recognised and embraced. The unique cultural contribution that young people bring to community life is also reflected in Council's Management Plan as part of the Information and Cultural Development section which states its Objective as follows:

To establish Warringah as a place with a distinct cultural identity in which new ideas for diverse cultural expression are readily supported, resulting in an enhanced quality of life.

Evaluation criteria

Success factors and performance iniators for each of the trial strategies are detailed in the Startegy Document attached to the Policy.

Review date

This policy will be reviewed following the completion of the twelve month anti-graffiti trial program proposed in the Strategy outline.

Document owner

The owner of the document is the Service Unit Manager, Community and Environmental Services.

Policy register and file number

The policy register number for this policy is CL-PL 450.
The policy register number for the strategy is CL-PR 450.
The main file reference for this policy is 170.006.000.

Authorisation

This policy was authorised by Council on Tuesday, 28th April, 1998, and will be reviewed annually.

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES

Implementation

Community and Cultural Services to establish a steering group to oversee the trial graffiti program.

Necessary administrative arrangements put in place including establishment of community hotline, graffiti investigation and logging procedures, police liaison protocols established etc.

Project coordinator from Construction and Maintenance Services appointed

Communication strategy developed to inform public about program and promote graffiti removal from private property

Steering group and project coordinator make arrangements for commencement of trial

Establishment of Rapid Response Team

Commencement of twelve month trial progress reports after six months

Implementation responsibility

Responsibility for implementing this policy rests with the Service Unit Managers of

Construction and Maintenance Services, Community and Cultural Services, Natural and Built Environment Services and Corporate Services.

For more info, contact Justin Burke at Youth Services:

• ph 9942 2401
• mobile 0407 921 863
• email burkej@warringah.nsw.gov.au