A new and unique art mural in Churchill will help address graffiti in the area and make it more welcoming, thanks to a Victorian Government Graffiti Prevention and Removal Grant.

Representing Minister for Police Wade Noonan, Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today revealed the new mural in the underpass, created by the community, in collaboration with Melbourne street artist, Adrian Doyle.

For years, the community has been concerned with the graffiti and safety issues surrounding the pedestrian underpass in Churchill, which links the central business district with the main residential area.

In 2014, the Latrobe City Council secured an $8,000 graffiti grant through the Victorian Government’s Community Crime Prevention Program for the Safe Pedestrian Connection via Public Art project to install a mural in the underpass.

Mr Doyle conducted a community engagement session weeks leading up to the project commencement, incorporating the community’s ideas in the mural design.This has helped generate a great sense of community pride and ownership of the mural.

The mural, combined with increased lighting installed with funding from another Community Crime Prevention grant in 2013, aims to increase foot traffic, boosting natural surveillance in the area and act as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour, including graffiti vandalism.

This project draws on the successes of a similar approach at the Churchill Skate Park, where a mural installation has been successful in decreasing graffiti attacks.
The council intends to engage the community to identify and develop more options for public art projects for a sustainable approach to graffiti prevention.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Ms Harriet Shing MP

“I am pleased to launch this fantastic piece of art, which I hope will prevent vandalism and make this area more safe and inviting.”

“I commend everyone on their efforts on installing this mural and the work that the Latrobe City Council is taking with the local community to stop graffiti vandalism.”

“This is a great example of the local community working together to come up with solutions to local issues.”