GRAFFITI HOTSPOTS PROJECT

THE PROBLEM  Increased reports of graffiti and antisocial behaviour around the municipality received through Council’s Graffiti Hotline  Further concerns expressed by community members at the Police Community Consultative Committee Community Consultation  Increase in customer service enquiries and reports to various council departments relating to graffiti in Melton, Caroline Springs, Hillside and Melton South  Through these, two ‘hotspots’ were identified Evidence of the problem

HOTSPOT 1- HILLSIDE Before

HOTSPOT 1- HILLSIDE Before

HOTSPOT 1- HILLSIDE Before

HOTSPOT 1- HILLSIDE Before

HOT SPOT 2- MELTON SOUTH Before

HOT SPOT 2- MELTON SOUTH Before

HOT SPOT 2- MELTON SOUTH Before

HOT SPOT 2- MELTON SOUTH Before

HOT SPOT 2- MELTON SOUTH Before

THE SOLUTION/PROJECT  A Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) approach was utilised  To ensure sustainability:  Solutions were guided by consultations with the community, residents and traders  Solutions were also guided by relevant evidence based literature  Two hotspots were identified, with two different solutions Identifying solutions

PROJECT PARTNERS  Engaged with local Victoria Police Crime Prevention Officer  Other Council departments, some already involved in graffiti management  Continuous communication to remain engaged with partners  Local graffiti workshop groups  Local traders  Following completion of funded component, partners remained engaged in project related activities, Eg, bus shelter and OD, workshops and YS

PROJECT OUTCOMES  Encourage and support councils and communities to identify and develop options for graffiti prevention and removal in local areas  Community consultations (residents, traders, community groups, local Police)  Graffiti and safety audit  Gauged interest in wall murals  Feedback on making spaces safe and maximising use of space  Feedback on graffiti prevention Aims

PROJECT OUTCOMES  Assist councils and communities to improve the visual amenity of neighbourhoods through the prevention and removal of graffiti  Provided graffiti removal kits and paint supplies to traders  Provided information on reporting graffiti vandalism  Workshops on mural design  Recommendations to council for further improvement in visual amenity, eg planting, seating, facilities  Engage with existing street art groups to work on projects around Council Aims continued

PROJECT OUTCOMES  Support the development of sustainable graffiti prevention of sustainable graffiti prevention and removal solutions in Victorian communities  Education about the role of rapid removal in graffiti prevention  Promote to the wider community about the Graffiti Hotline  Results will support the development of a Council Graffiti Policy and Strategy to guide a more collaborative and consistent future approach Aims continued

PROJECT OUTCOMES  Increase the sense of community confidence in the safety and security of public spaces  Feedback from consultations indicate that a visually appealing space would attract more people and activity, with a sense of pride and ownership of the space. With a frequently used space, a community connection will be fostered, resulting in increased feelings of safety and security.  As the project has moved forward, it has increased momentum and interest from the wider community wanting to be involved. The higher the involvement of community members in community projects, the higher the sense of belonging and protection of their community. Aims continued

HOTSPOT 1- HILLSIDE Graffiti workshop

HOTSPOT 1- HILLSIDE Graffiti workshop

HOTSPOT 1- HILLSIDE Community members and street artist at wall mural

HOTSPOT 1- HILLSIDE Community members and street artist at wall mural

HOTSPOT 1- HILLSIDE Community members working on the mural

HOTSPOT 1- HILLSIDE Community members gathering to work on mural

HOTSPOT 1- HILLSIDE Community members working on the mural

HOTSPOT 1- HILLSIDE After

ISSUES  Positive:  Flow on projects  Further interest by the community beyond the scope and time constraints of the project  As much as possible, these people were connected to other departments within council. For example, connected young people to a graffiti workshop program with youth services. Connected youth services to other departments more directly involved with this project (eg, OD) for further collaboration and community spaces

ISSUES  Negative:  Traders hesitant about graffiti removal  Provided education around rapid removal and consulted with them on what would be most beneficial. (eg, paint vouchers in addition to graffiti removal solutions).

LESSONS & THE FUTURE  If the same graffiti problem was identified today:  Apply for the same project  Small changes:  Include smaller hotspot sites and engage more youth  Engage more community members in implementing solutions  More youth graffiti workshops

LESSONS & THE FUTURE  Keys to success:  Community engagement, with as many stakeholders as possible  Constant contact with community  Find out what benefits the community would like to see and work to create those  Share a vision

ADVICE FOR OTHERS  Consult with the community (residents, community groups, traders)  It creates interest and gets people talking – this enables you to generate and spread interest quickly  Engage the community in the solutions  Brainstorming solutions as well as implementing solutions  Connect and collaborate with other departments within your council- eg, youth services