Urban Canvas is the name given to a program funded by the State Government’s Community Support Fund, which is taking a creative approach to the Inner South Metro Mayors Forum (ISMMF) Graffiti Pilot Program 2021 – 2024. Six local councils of Bayside, Kingston, Port Phillip, Glen Eira, Stonnington and Boroondara have come together to initiate and focus on a proactive approach to graffiti mitigation and changing the current status quo of removing graffiti from third-party assets.

There are two types of Graffiti Removal; A Reactive approach and a Proactive approach.

The Reactive approach to Graffiti Removal involves buffing illegal tagging from a property or wall or removing the tagging using chemicals after the tagging has occurred and generally weeks after the fact, attracting more unwanted tags and anti-social behavior. This is the approach of the majority of local government bodies, privately owned businesses and Third Party asset owners.

This is a Graffiti Removal Pilot Program which has encouraged six local councils to look outside of the box and try other ways to not only remove illegal tagging but mitigate it ongoing - This led a team of Graffiti Management Officers to initiate ‘Urban Canvas’ - The Proactive approach to Graffiti Removal.

This includes, and is not limited to:

• Murals or Public art activations

• Greening

• Lighting

• Graffiti Education programs

These programs will be a collaborative effort alongside third-party asset groups and community groups.