The City graffiti removal response is managed by the Building Maintenance business unit.

The City removes graffiti from the following structures:

• City owned assets and infrastructure
• Some approved public utilities
• Private residential boundary fencing adjoining public land.

The City is not responsible for removing graffiti from private property, schools, commercial sites, development sites, shopping centres, businesses and the majority of public utilities.

The City utilizes the following resources to remove graffiti vandalism within the City:

• 2 x full time in-house Graffiti Removal Operators (two dean fully equipped vehicles with trailer, water tank and water-blaster)
• Graffiti Removal Contractors; and
• People Against Vandalism (PAV) - Graffiti removal volunteers within a set area.

People Against Vandalism (PAV)

A volunteer organisation, People Against Vandalism (PAV), approached the City in 2005, to actively be involved in the Graffiti Removal process. The City agreed to trial this organisation and to provide grant funding to assist. The organisation also approached the state government for funding support. This funding has continued into the 2007/2008 financial year for the City to purchase materials. The State Government has also funded the purchase and operation of a second vehicle. The group has been successful in gaining support from the developers in the area to also contribute to its activities eg. construction of garage facilities, for vehicles, payment for graffiti removal from commercial areas etc.

PAV are responsible for the Suburbs of:

• Mindarie
• Quinns Rocks
• Butler

This is to prevent confusion about responsibilities and misunderstandings of taskings. The City's resources also assist the PAV organisation to address difficult removal tasks when requested.

Graffiti Removal Process and Procedures

The general policy and process for graffiti removal is as follows:

• PAV can be contacted best by e-mail as detailed below
• The City can receive reports from public, COW staff, volunteers etc. by phone, fax, email, letter or in person
• Report goes to either in-house staff, contractor or is redirected to the PAV e-mail address
• The City obtains a waiver from the owner, to assist in liability claims for damage by the owner
• Digital photographs are taken of the graffiti prior to its removal and stored on the City's data base should the police require them as evidence
• A database in the form of a spreadsheet is maintained of reports received about graffiti
• Method of removal (either chemical removal or paint-out) is decided by the operator or owners by special request
• The City aims to remove graffiti within 24 to 48 hours of notification, weather and workload permitting. With offensive graffiti being removed within four hours of notification;

Contact Details:

City of Wanneroo e-mail: buildingm@wanneroo.wa.gov.au

Phone number: 9405 5220 (with answering machine) or after hours: 1300 13 83 93.

PAV e-mail: gbb@pavwa.com.au ; phone 0403 593 222 (during working hours only).