The issue of offensive graffiti has become a major concern in cities like Sydney and Melbourne, prompting action from local councils to address the problem. Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp have both emphasized the importance of swift removal of hateful graffiti to ensure everyone feels welcome and safe in their communities. The City of Melbourne recently signed a new street cleaning contract requiring offensive graffiti to be removed within one hour of being reported, with the aim of deterring repeat offenders and incidents.
Equality Australia legal director Ghassan Kassisieh and Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin have both voiced their support for the one-hour removal of hateful graffiti, highlighting the impact it can have on individuals and communities, particularly in areas with large Jewish populations. The presence of offensive graffiti can trigger generational trauma and affect one’s sense of belonging, underscoring the importance of swift action to address the issue.
The City of Sydney has reported removing over 40,000 instances of graffiti in 2023-24, with hate-speech graffiti accounting for a small portion of these incidents. Council staff have identified 25 incidents of hate-speech graffiti in the nine months leading up to March 31, out of a total of 2771 incidents. Data from Snap Send Solve, an app that allows users to report issues to councils, shows a significant increase in reports of graffiti in NSW in 2024, with over a quarter of these reports marked as offensive due to swear words, discriminative language, and inappropriate images.
The presence of offensive graffiti, particularly in public spaces like playgrounds, poses a significant concern as it can be unsuitable for children to see. Snap Send Solve chief executive Danny Gorog has highlighted the prevalence of offensive graffiti in such spaces, underlining the need for swift action to remove these instances. Ensuring that hateful graffiti is removed promptly is essential to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all community members, and can help deter future incidents by sending a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
Moore and Capp have emphasized the importance of continually assessing and improving graffiti-removal services to ensure they are as efficient and effective as possible. By prioritizing the removal of hateful graffiti and implementing measures to address the issue swiftly, councils can work towards creating inclusive and welcoming communities where all individuals feel safe and respected. Taking a proactive approach to graffiti removal, especially in response to offensive and hateful content, is crucial in upholding community values and preventing the spread of harmful messages.
