Graffiti down thanks to Council’s prevention and clean-up programs
Published on 31 July 2025
Frankston City Council has seen a significant drop in graffiti across the municipality due to its enhanced graffiti prevention strategy, with proactive patrols, faster removal times, and a new community bounty program introduced.
Since adding two new dedicated graffiti officers in 2023, Council has doubled its patrol force to five and expanded regular patrols across known graffiti hotspots twice per week. These include key reserves, shopping strips, and roads throughout the city.
Almost twice the area of graffiti is now removed per week compared to previous years, with a total of 42,140 square metres removed in the 2024–2025 financial year.
In addition to patrols, Council has approved a $10,000 graffiti bounty and prevention kit initiative as part of the 2025–2026 Annual Budget, offering rewards for public reporting and tools for residents to help combat vandalism in their neighborhood. More information on this initiative will be released soon.
Frankston City Councillor Nathan Butler has welcomed the results.
“This is a community-wide effort. We’re tackling graffiti on all fronts—with fast response times, proactive patrols, and by empowering residents to speak up if they see vandalism take place,” he said.
Council also reduced its reactive graffiti response time from 10 days to just 3 days, with residents able to report graffiti through various channels including phone, email, social media, and apps like Snap Send Solve. With 500–700 reports received monthly, data shows that graffiti is decreasing in proactive patrol areas.
Proactive patrol locations include high-traffic areas such as Frankston Foreshore, Ballam Park, major shopping strips in Seaford and Frankston North, and key public artworks like the Sentinel and local war memorials.
In a further move to prevent graffiti, Council’s Safer Communities Rapid Response Team continues to conduct regular test purchase operations to ensure retailers comply with local laws around the sale of aerosol spray paint. Under Council’s Community Local Law, retailers must not sell spray paint to anyone under eighteen, and must store these products securely and out of public reach.
In the most recent round, nine retailers were tested, with one found to have illegally sold spray paint to a 16-year-old. An appropriate enforcement action is currently being determined and this includes options ranging from warnings and penalty infringement notices to prosecution in court.
Frankston City Councillor David Asker said retailers play a crucial role in helping to stop graffiti before it starts.
“These test purchase programs are about education, accountability, and ultimately, prevention. Most businesses are doing the right thing, but we need to make sure compliance is consistent across the board,” Cr Asker said.
This enhanced graffiti response is part of Council’s broader City Presentation efforts. Recent improvements in the Frankston CBD include restoration of bespoke seating on Wells Street, upgrades to planter boxes along Young Street, and completed rejuvenation of roundabout plantings using drought-resistant and visually striking flora.
Litter barriers installed between the train line and Council buildings on Young Street have also proved effective, preventing trash from becoming trapped in hard-to-reach areas.
The graffiti patrol initiative marks six months of operation with clear success—cleaner spaces, faster action, and a stronger sense of civic pride across Frankston.
If you witness any illegal activity of graffiti, contact the Frankston City Graffiti Hotline on 1800 668 247.
For more information about Frankston City Council’s 2025-2026 Stronger Together Annual Budget, visit Council Plan and Budget