Council is going to use art to fight graffiti next year. 

The City of Greater Bendigo said it would use a recent $17,000 state government grant for a range of graffiti prevention tactics, including a community mural proposed for Mitchell Lane. 

The proposal is still in its early stages, but council says the mural will be big and bright – but respectful of local heritage.

“It will be quite large, vibrant and in keeping with the local heritage streetscape,” City Community Partnerships manager Steven Abbott said.

Other activities anti-graffiti measures which the city will undertake in the CBD during the first half of 2016 include the more straight forward removal of graffiti and education programs to reduce tagging.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW POLL

Mr Abbott said the funding would be used in partnership with Radius Disability Services and with the support of the Bendigo Safe Community Forum, Victoria Police and central Bendigo traders.

“The Graffiti Prevention Project aims to help communities prevent unsightly graffiti and improve perceptions of safety in our public spaces,” he said.

“By removing graffiti as soon as it appears it limits public property being repeatedly targeted.

“The opportunity to also develop new public art will increase the overall vibrancy of our city.”

Radius Disability Services chief executive officer Cath Mc Donald said the project will be based at the new Morely Johnson building on Mitchell Street.

“A group of young people will locate graffiti for removal, learn about the impact of graffiti on the community and look at ways to revitalise graffiti hotspots with creative images,” Ms McDonald said.

“Radius wants the Morely Johnson building to act as a social and economic hub for Bendigo, so it is wonderful that it will be able to support the prevention of graffiti on public property and the delivery of a community art project by providing participants with a place to work.”