A longtime Berwick resident, Leigh Lox has spent more than a year advocating for action against graffiti across Southeast, but the issue remains largely unresolved.
Leigh Cox began raising concerns in 2024, contacting multiple government departments, only to be met with “generic responses or being redirected from one agency to another”.
“It’s frustrating. The problem of graffiti is still being treated as a joke,” Cox said.
“I’ve made at least four calls just about road sign graffiti and the response has always been an email saying it’s been allocated to contractors. It’s October 2025, and still nothing.”
Leigh highlighted widespread graffiti across Berwick, Clyde, Narre Warren, Dandenong Pakenham, including major spots like the Monash Freeway, Chadstone shopping centre, local train stations, and factories along the train line.
One of his major concerns is that graffiti is spreading towards airport-adjacent freeway areas, with signs and infrastructure often defaced or faded, creating both safety and visual concerns.
Cox has reached out to several government offices in pursuit of action. His attempts included:
– The Office of Gabrielle Williams MP, Minister for Government Services, Consumer Affairs, and Public Transport who referred him to Minister for Police.
– The Municipal Association of Victoria, which referred him to the Victorian Ombudsman.
– The Victorian Ombudsman, which directed him to VicRoads and the Department of Transport and Planning.
Last year, Transport Victoria replied that his reports had been allocated to contractors and prioritized among other hazards, explaining their inspections and graffiti management obligations under the Road Management Act.
In a letter from Police and Crime Prevention Minister Anthony Carbines, the government outlined initiatives including investments in Victoria Police, CCTV cameras, and graffiti removal programs across the state, but Cox says the impact has been limited in his local area.
Despite these challenges, Cox remains determined.
“At least now community groups are voicing my concerns,” he said. “By working together, we can make a positive impact and create a safer, cleaner, and more beautiful environment for everyone.”
He welcomed the recent announcement that graffiti defacing the Clyde Road overpass in Berwick will be removed by 10 October, following advocacy from the Casey Residents & Ratepayers Association (CRRA), Opposition Leader Brad Battin, and Casey Council.
Cox urges a collaborative approach to address graffiti, combining community engagement with government action.
“Graffiti not only defaces public spaces but creates a sense of neglect and unease in our community.
“It can impact property values, local businesses, and the overall aesthetics of our neighbourhoods.”
Cox proposes several initiatives:
– Community mural projects: Working with local artists and residents to transform graffiti-prone walls into vibrant public art.
– Graffiti art programs: Offering workshops or classes for aspiring street artists in legal, supportive environments.
– Graffiti cleanup initiatives: Organizing volunteers to regularly remove unwanted graffiti and replace it with approved community artwork, such as promoting local sports clubs or businesses.
– Engaging graffiti artists: Providing opportunities for street artists to showcase their work legally.
– Education campaigns: Raising awareness of the negative consequences of illegal graffiti on property, safety, and public perception.
“By approaching graffiti with proactive solutions, we can transform it from a nuisance into a meaningful aspect of urban life,” Cox said.
