UPDATE: Hume Council is urgently calling for public feedback on its draft Graffiti Management Policy, aiming to combat the rampant graffiti issue affecting the municipality. The council’s initiative follows a heated discussion during the November 24, 2023 meeting where Cr Daniel English labeled the situation as “disgusting.”
“Behind closed doors, councillors have been working hard with the officers to try and come up with some of the best ways to tackle this disgusting behaviour in our community,” Cr English stated, emphasizing the need for more effective solutions. The current policy has been criticized for not adequately addressing the pervasive graffiti problem, prompting the council to reevaluate its strategies.
Revelations from Cr Naim Kurt highlighted the financial burden on the community, with the council spending approximately $230,000 each year on graffiti clean-up efforts. “There’s a feeling across our community that we can put in a little bit more to make our community look like a better place,” he noted, underscoring the urgency for enhanced measures.
The draft policy proposes several preventative strategies, including community education programs aimed at schools to raise awareness about the financial and emotional toll of graffiti vandalism. Additionally, the plan includes initiatives such as public art installations, improved public lighting, and the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to deter vandalism.
Feedback on the draft policy is open now and will close on February 5, 2024. This input will be crucial in shaping the final policy, which the council intends to adopt in a subsequent meeting. Residents are encouraged to participate in this vital discussion to help create a cleaner, more visually appealing community.
To submit your feedback, visit the Hume Council’s dedicated page at Hume Graffiti Management Policy Feedback.
This policy review is not just about aesthetics; it reflects a community’s desire for change and improved quality of life. Residents are urged to act now and voice their opinions on this critical issue.
