Graffiti vandalism is a crime which costs the community both time and resources. It can also cost the community in other ways through loss of civic pride, devaluing property and generating a sense of fear and anger within the community. Graffiti vandals like to see their marks or tags scrawled across walls or fences it gives writers recognition, respect and street fame among their peers. If these tags can be quickly removed, it defeats the vandals' purposes and makes the activity much less rewarding.

Council's Graffiti Management Program aims to reduce the incidence of graffiti by means of volunteer support, education and community consultation and is based on the principles of community partnership and the rapid removal of graffiti vandalism.

Formed on the basis that graffiti is a community based problem, volunteer teams known as "The Grafters" have been brought together to respond rapidly in the removal of graffiti. If you would like to become a volunteer on Council's Graffiti Management Program please, visit our volunteers page.

As part of the Program, a Yamaha Utility Vehicle is utilised to assist volunteers to access fixtures for the removal of graffiti vandalism along the Semaphore foreshore. The Utility Vehicle ensures that the 6.3km of foreshore is fully serviced. The Utility Vehicle is able to access fixtures that are not accessible by automobile.

iPads with GPS technology enable the Grafters to remove graffiti as they find it – even before it is reported to Council. They call this the “seek and destroy” method. Since the program was launched, graffiti removed has totalled more than 265,000 square metres across the Council area.

In addition to the volunteer graffiti removal program, Council's overall approach to graffiti management includes the development of community projects. These aerosol arts projects target graffiti hot spots throughout the Council with the aim to minimise the incidence of graffiti vandalism.

Council continues to work with the Department Communities & Social Inclusion (DCSI) to provide opportunities for Restitution Services to have involvement in specific graffiti removal programs. A further partnership has been formed with the Klemzig Neighbourhood Watch group whose volunteers remove graffiti in the eastern region of Council.

Graffiti Removal Requests

If a property is vandalised with graffiti, this can be reported via our Online Services page, by telephone or email.

Joining the Grafters

Council is committed to recruit and train volunteers for the Graffiti Management Program. The Grafter volunteers are highly valued and are the backbone of the program; they receive extensive training before undertaking graffiti removal. If you would like to become a Grafters volunteer please contact us.