Exhibition Item

In 2015 Council adopted a Graffiti Management Plan (Attachment 1) outlining a series of principles and actions designed to reduce and prevent graffiti across the Maitland Local Government Area (LGA).

The Graffiti Management Plan (2015) was reviewed, and in its place, a Graffiti Management Policy developed. The new policy is better aligned to Council’s current suite of policies and will be the framework for which Maitland City Council delivers graffiti management across the LGA. There are seven key areas of this policy based on contemporary approaches to address graffiti challenges:

1. Prompt removal of illegal Graffiti – Council will continue to deliver the timely removal of graffiti as per the service levels in this policy
2. Supporting Private Property Owners – This focus area was developed to provide scope for improved presentation of private assets located in prominent and high profiles areas. This provision is in line with the Graffiti Control Act 2008
3. Support legal and creative street art as a form of community expression – The policy provides guidance for Council facilitated street art projects
4. Collaboration and Enforcement – Details how Council will work with NSW Police to deter graffiti
5. Community Education and Engagement – Programs and activities to educate and engage with the community
6. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Integration – Asset delivery and maintenance that supports graffiti management practices
7. Graffiti Removal Community Grants Program – This focus area aims to formalise an annual program to foster relationships between Council and Service Organisations who provide cost effective graffiti management across the community

The Graffiti Policy provides the community with a process for graffiti management that ensures improved amenity, increased city presentation and pride. The policy also provides a framework for Council to collaborate and partner with community service groups in the delivery of graffiti prevention and removal programs.