Graffiti mess cops a spray
Jen Kelly, city editor

PLANS are under way to wipe out graffiti across Melbourne before the Commonwealth Games.


Melbourne City Council will serve notice as soon as next week on VicTrack and VicRoads to remove graffiti from public infrastructure across the city.
The hardline stance is unprecedented but necessary after negotiations failed, according to council planning spokeswoman Cr Catherine Ng.

If the agencies fail to comply, it is believed the council will consider legal action and is likely to remove the graffiti itself and send the bill.

The council is determined to remove the problem before an estimated 90,000 interstate and overseas tourists descend on Melbourne in March. It is fed up with ugly graffiti on bridges, underpasses, signal boxes and other infrastructure, especially around Jolimont and the MCG.

"The graffiti along those areas is disgraceful," Cr Ng said. "It's important for the Government to know Melbourne City Council is no longer putting up with it."

Cr Ng said the council could force public agencies to clean up graffiti on their property.

"We want to send a very clear signal to them they have to lift their game to clean up," she said.

"We always try to work collaboratively with them, influence them, encourage them, but it's obviously not working.

"Unfortunately, VicTrack has been recalcitrant in many ways. We actually ask them to clean up all the time.

"If we want to welcome the athletes, spectators, media and officials, we can't welcome them with graffiti."