The Werribee electorate is being urged to work with the Wyndham City Council to apply for a community-based grant to combat local graffiti hotspots.

Member for Werribee Tim Pallas announced the latest round of Graffiti Prevention Grants that will provide funding of up to $30,000.

The grants provide funding for councils to team up with community groups, local police, schools and local businesses to deliver anti-graffiti projects.

Applicants are encouraged to develop a comprehensive approach to combating graffiti vandalism at a local-level.

Some of the projects that may be funded include:

• environmental design initiatives to improve natural surveillance
• adoption of anti-graffiti coating or graffiti resistant materials
• initiatives to cover walls vulnerable to graffiti vandalism such as vertical gardens and landscaping, murals and public art
• place-based activities that encourage space activation and community ownership to care for an area which is a graffiti hotspot
• graffiti removal activities and resources to support broader graffiti prevention efforts
• anti-graffiti education initiatives on laws relating to the sale of aerosol paint cans

Since July 2015, the government has allocated nearly $1.4 million towards 72 anti-graffiti projects across Victoria, including in Wyndham.

The grants are part of the government’s Community Crime Prevention Program, which helps promote community safety and prevent crime across the state.

Applications for the latest round of Graffiti Prevention Grants open on 5 March and close on Friday 20 April 2018. Further information is available at crimeprevention.vic.gov.au/graffitigrants.

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“The Graffiti Prevention Grants provide an opportunity for the council to work with local community groups, to develop local solutions to graffiti hotspots in the Werribee electorate.”

“These projects can make a real difference to the look and feel of the community, especially around safety and community pride.”