Graffiti management

Graffiti has significant social and financial impacts for local business and residents. Most graffiti occurs on exposed walls and fences and is usually in a form of messages in letters or images, written in spray paint, permanent marker or even etched into surfaces.

If you see any graffiti it is important that you report it as rapid removal is recommended to discourage further occurrences.

Reporting graffiti

How to report graffiti in public areas:

• lodge an online request
• call us on 131 872.

How to report graffiti on your property

Report graffiti on your property to police by phoning 131 444 or by using the online Policelink form.

Graffiti prevention

While graffiti can be a common problem there are things you can do to help prevent graffiti occurring on your property.

1. Prevent – You can make your home or business less attractive to vandals by restricting access to walls or fences by planting vegetation in front of them. Plan for easy graffiti repair, choose surfaces that can be repainted or are easy to clean, such as tiles or polished masonry. Textured and uneven materials such as, mesh, grills and lattices are less prone to graffiti. Dark colours are less attractive. Anti-graffiti coatings can also prevent graffiti from being absorbed. Lighting will discourage potential vandals.
2. Report – Everything you report helps keep your streets graffiti free.
3. Remove – You can use methylated spirits, turps, paint stripper, dedicated graffiti products or oven cleaner. These products contain toxins and chemical so wear protective clothing, including a mask and always ensure they are stored out of reach of children in a locked cupboard. Alternatively, professional graffiti removal companies are listed in the yellow pages under graffiti or paint removal services.

Street and urban art versus illegal graffiti

It is important to note the difference between street and urban art and illegal graffiti. Many Toowoomba lanes and walls were transformed with the First Coat initiative. These works are legal and are identified as being part of a program.