Graffiti
Environmental nuisances Graffiti Lodging a complaint Noise
Graffiti vandalism, or ‘tagging', is any mark or symbol placed on property without the owner's permission.
Council's graffiti management strategy
To deal with graffiti, Council:
provides free graffiti removal kits
employs a graffiti reduction officer to advise on graffiti prevention and removal
gives removal materials and paints to community groups to remove graffiti
distributes graffiti prevention guidelines
makes presentations about graffiti vandalism to community groups
undertakes graffiti and safety audits in affected areas and recommends appropriate actions
coordinates legal art projects to beautify local communities and prevent graffiti
removes graffiti as soon as possible
designs public areas to support graffiti prevention
Preventing graffiti
The following strategies can help to prevent graffiti:
vegetation - shrubs and bushy plants near buildings help restrict access to walls or views into buildings
lighting - a well-lit area may deter vandalism
legal art and murals - vandals seldom attack the work of other artists
paints and coatings - always keep extra paint of the same colour as your walls, fences and other painted surfaces
graffiti resistant surfaces - try to avoid plain, smooth surfaces or fences
securing your property - secure items such as benches, barbecues and wheelie bins so they can't be used to gain access to walls or rooftops
For more information download the graffiti prevention guidelines:
Index (PDF - 67.4kb) Order A - Access Control (PDF - 151kb) Order B - Canvas Reduction (PDF - 286kb) Order C - Easy Maintenance Selections (PDF - 205kb)
You can download Acrobat Reader (version 7 or latest version) for free.
Removing graffiti
Rapid removal is the most effective way to prevent graffiti reappearing because it reduces the recognition that graffitists crave. It also shows that the affected area is being monitored and looked after.
Council attempts to remove all graffiti from its buildings or structures within seven days of it being reported. Offensive or high profile graffiti is removed within 24 hours.
Brisbane residents can ask for a free graffiti removal kit at any Council Customer Service Centre or Ward Office. The kit contains:
two types of graffiti remover
safety glasses
gloves
instructions
safety information
If you see someone doing graffiti, contact the Queensland Police Service on 07 3364 6464. You can also help by contacting the responsible property owner:
water reservoirs, buses, bus shelters, ferry terminals, Council buildings and depots, Council parks and natural reserves, traffic light signal boxes - phone 07 3403 8888
railway facilities - phone Queensland Rail on 07 3235 2222
main roads and bridges - phone Department of Main Roads on 07 3834 2011
private property - contact the property owner