Tag clean up backed

By Paul Pickering
ORGANISERS of an underpass mural say critical press reports have misrepresented the project.
The Sunday Herald Sun reported on 15 July that the pilot program, which allowed youths to spray-paint sanctioned tags on the subway walls, had outraged commuters and anti-graffiti campaigners.
But the Upwey Village Committee (UVC) denied suggestions that the project was legitimising the vandalism of youths with criminal histories.
UVC chairman Christiaan O’Dea said: “The township group has received no complaints about this mural.
“These kids are involved in painting over graffiti tags as part of their commitment to the project prior to putting their ideas up,” he said, noting that the participants were supervised throughout the design process.
“This is a mural project and part of a range of projects that the township is doing to engage with local youth to ensure Upwey remains a fantastic place to live, bring up kids and is appealing to the wider community,” he said.
Mr O’Dea said the project, which is funded by the UVC in partnership with Burrinja and run in consultation with the Shire of Yarra Ranges, is part of a broader program of graffiti-prevention in the Upwey.
Previously, young people have participated in sustainable projects such as planting trees in front of regularly tagged walls, repainting playground equipment in the village square and community clean-up days.
“This particular project is not about graffiti but a chance for some kids to show enthusiasm, commit to planning and listen to different points of view and progress through to an asset the community can be proud of,” Mr O’Dea said.
“We hope these kids can use this as a stepping stone to greater things.”
While Shire of Yarra Ranges community relations manager James Martin said the shire was not directly involved with the project.
“The township group is doing a tremendous amount of work to engage young people and we are certainly not going to condemn them.”