Graffiti

Unfortunately graffiti vandalism is widespread in Wyong Shire, and despite our commitment to reducing it, we cannot solve this problem alone. This guide aims to make it simple for residents and businesses to help reduce the impact.

What is graffiti?

Graffiti vandalism is any writing or drawing placed on private or public property or structures without the consent of the property owner. Graffiti can occur as political statements, slurs, slogans, jokes or individual marks.

Should I report instances?

Graffiti vandalism is a criminal offence and should be reported to police. All major graffiti incidents should be reported to the Police Assistance Line 131 444.

How do I report it?

Graffiti on Council property can be reported to Customer Contact on (02) 4350 5555.

Community members are encouraged to report graffiti in the following ways:

  • Private property: contact the Police Assistance Line (PAL) 131444
  • Council Property: contact Wyong Shire Council 4350 5555
  • Major roads, street sign and walls: contact  Roads & Traffic Authority 1888 816 770
  • Post Boxes:  contact Australia Post 131 318
  • Electrical Boxes: contact Energy Australia 131 535
  • Trains: contact the Rail Corporation Hotline 1300 656 999

Why help remove graffiti?

If graffiti is removed promptly it sends a message to the writer that it will not be tolerated and deters the writer from returning. Graffiti is easiest to clean off if removed soon after being drawn or written.

What graffiti can Council remove?

We can remove graffiti off Council property like toilet blocks or community halls. Graffiti removal is prioritised, starting with offensive or highly visible graffiti.   Council does not remove graffiti from private property as this is the owner's responsibility.   Customers commonly ask if council removes graffiti from fences bordering a laneway.  Council is not reponsible for the fence in the laneway and is therefore not resonsible to remove the graffiti.

Our graffiti removal officer takes photographs of all graffiti vandalism before it is removed and liaises with our rangers and local Police to determine ‘hot spots’ and help catch offenders.

Council takes a rapid removal approach to graffiti removal and will remove offensive graffiti within 48 hours of being reported and general graffiti within 14 days.  Removal is prioritised based on its content, offensiveness and location.

Graffiti Removal GuideHow do I remove graffiti?

  • Steel and aluminium surfaces/plastic garbage bins - apply methylated spirits with a scrubbing brush and wash off with water.
  • Colorbond fence - apply graffiti remover to a small area with a very soft brush, wash off straight away and touch up with paint.
  • Unpainted brick - apply graffiti remover and wait five minutes, scrub, rinse with water - repeat until clean.
  • Painted brick - paint over or use methylated spirits and softbrush and wash off.
  • Footpath or besser brick - apply methylated spirits or graffiti remover, scrub, then wash off with water.
  • Borrow the Graffiti Beater Trailer?
  • See the Graffiti vandalism removal and paint-out-options factsheet

 This chart is a guide to graffiti removal on different surfaces.

 Download the chart in PDF pdf format Graffiti Removal Guide (183.57 KB)

Graffit kits

To resource the community, Council is providing free Graffiti Kits to each household as a trial until 30 June 2012.   They are only available from Council's Civic Centre, Hely Street, Wyong.  If you would like a free Graffiti Kit please see the criteria and download the application form below.

  • Residents are entitled to 1 kit per property per financial year.
  • Mobile home parks and retirement homes are entitled to 1 kit per unit/suite per financial year.
  • Kits are also available to tenants with proof of tenancy.
  • The form must be completed and given to customer service staff to collect the kit.

There are two types of kits.

  • Blue for brick (stone, unpainted concrete, etc)
  • Green for painted surfaces (painted concrete, colourbond fencing, etc)

Application form doc format Residents Graffiti Kit Application Form (248.00 KB)

Graffiti Beater trailer?

The community are encouraged to borrow the graffiti trailer, an initiative of the Northern Lakes Regional Business Chamber, which is equipped with pressure washer, water tank and chemicals to clean up walls and buildings that have been defaced.

A co-ordinator with the Chamber has been trained to supervise people who borrow the trailer to remove graffiti.

Anyone who wants to borrow the trailer can ring the chamber on 4397 1457 or email info@northernlakes.net.au.

How can I prevent graffiti?

  • Plant trees and shrubs along fence lines and walls to block the ‘canvas’ from view.
  • Paint an exposed wall or fence in a dark colour.
  • Put permanent and non-permanent graffiti coatings on surfaces.
  • Keep accessible areas well-lit.

Graffiti Management Strategy

There has been a growing concern in Wyong Shire about increased amounts of graffiti in our neighbourhoods.  This strategy is built around the partnership between Police, Council, business and the community to address graffiti.  In 2011 representatives of these four groups met to work together in developing this document.

This initative aims to contribute to neighbourhood and public areas having minimal levels of crime, enabling residents to fee safe.  Its purpose is to build a level of public pride where residents have a respect for property and each other and to reduce signs of vandalism and graffiti.

See the strategy. DOC format Graffiti Management Strategy (6.64 MB)