By LIA SPENCER
GRAFFITI on an overpass across a busy road is an eyesore for Casey residents.
Casey Council will be writing Metro Trains requesting that graffiti on the overpass at Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road be removed immediately, and that a future management plan be put in place to ensure that the overpass continues to be free from vandalism and graffiti.
Councillor Sam Aziz has asked the council to write to Metro Trains after he received a “flood of complaints” from local residents.
“I get many calls about it but it’s not council’s responsibility,” Cr Aziz said.
“It’s very ugly. It’s very unsightly for what is meant to be a gateway to our city and the suburbs of Narre Warren, Narre Warren South right down to Cranbourne.”
City of Casey Acting Manager Community Safety Tracey Blythe said that the council had an extensive graffiti management program and that in most cases, graffiti was removed within one working day and within four hours for offensive graffiti.
“Eradication is a very important component of the program, with graffiti removed from all qualifying privately-owned residential, commercial and industrial properties at no cost to the property owner,” Ms Blythe said.
“Council makes every effort to inform and negotiate the rapid removal of graffiti from government owned property and utility assets and has been in contact with the responsible authority about implementing a removal management plan in this case.”
Ms Blyth said the council was committed to ensuring graffiti offenders were prosecuted and continued to work closely with Victoria Police.
She said the council also provided community education to Year 5 and Year 8 students across Casey to highlight the risks associated with graffiti vandalism, along with personal and social impact on the community.
Metro Trains was unable to provide comment before deadline.
To report graffiti, residents should call Casey’s Graffiti Hotline on 1800 VANDAL (1800 826 325). It is a free call and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Alternatively residents can email casey@ums.com.au.
