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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 13 Hansard (21 November) . . Page.. 4043 ..

Graffiti

(Question No 314)

Mr Cornwell asked the Minister for Urban Services, upon notice:

In relation to the graffiti removal measures.

(1) Have the sale of spray cans been restricted and if so, how and when did this take place.

(2) Where is the anti-graffiti paint in use, how long has it been used and how much did this special paint cost Government in (a) 2001-02 (b) 2002-03 (budget).

(3) How many calls have the two graffiti hotlines received in 2001-02.

(4) How are the hotlines advertised.

(5) What is the average time taken to remove the graffiti and who removes it.

Mr Wood: The answer to the member's questions is as follows:

(1) An investigation by Urban Services officers has found that legislative provisions restricting the sale of spray cans is not being supported by other Australian jurisdictions, with the exception of South Australia, because they are costly to implement and place undue restrictions on business. There are no plans to introduce such legislation in the ACT.

(2) Anti graffiti coating, called 'Graffiti Tech', rather than paint, is used on new porous surfaced government areas. It is has been in use since 1996. The cost of this is part of the lump sum contracts and not identified separately. The removal of graffiti from government assets in 2001-01 cost $810,000 and in 2002-03 $812,000 has been allocated. Removal from private assets in 2001-02 cost $200,000 and in 2002-03 $200,000 has been allocated. With regard to other prevention measures, including promoting the use of graffiti-resistant building materials and the use of good urban-building design principles that minimise opportunities for graffitists, this is part of the ACT Crime Prevention and Urban Design Resource Manual and the private sector is advised of this where appropriate.

(3) Canberra Connect refers all calls it receives in relation to graffiti to the City Management hotline. In 2001-02, 511 calls were received and acted on by City Management within Urban Services. In 2002-03 to date, 257 have been received and acted on.

(4) The Government encourages the active reporting of graffiti through its existing City Management hotline: 62072500 by advertising this number in the telephone book, on the Canberra Urban Parks and Places website and through the Canberra Connect system.

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