28 June 2007

Passing of second reading of Graffiti Bill a victory for Manukau

Manukau is soon going to have the tools to clamp down on graffiti vandalism which is degrading entire communities and costing millions of dollars a year to combat, Mayor Sir Barry Curtis says.

The Manukau City Council (Control of Graffiti) Bill passed its second reading in Parliament last night. The vote was 108 for, 10 against. It is the first piece of criminal law legislation to be promoted by a council in New Zealand, and introduces instant fines, limits the sale of spray paint cans to minors and gives Police the right to question and arrest taggers.

The Bill will now go before the whole House clause by clause, and then there will be a third reading, which could be as early as August.

“This is a great victory for residents across the city who’ve been clamouring for stronger action. I am confident the Bill will pass through the next stages and become law,” Sir Barry says.

The local bill was originated by Manukau City Council as a way of introducing stronger measures to control tagging and graffiti vandalism, which degrade entire neighbourhoods. The cost of removal is rising, with the Manukau City Council spending a million dollars a year in paint-outs. However it is estimated that the total cost of removal throughout the city is five million dollars, taking into account the removal of graffiti by individual residents and businesses.

“But I shudder to think what it is costing the country as a whole,” Sir Barry says.

“We’ve been tackling the graffiti crisis full-on in Manukau but had only limited success because we lacked the powers we needed under current legislation. The Police can do little. Most taggers have easy access to spray-paint and, if they were ever caught, the penalties are trivial. That is now going to change.” The bill goes beyond the existing laws relating to graffiti by –

regulating the display of spray paint in retail premises and its sale to minors creating the offences of marking of graffiti and carrying a graffiti implement in certain circumstances with fines up to $2,500 upon conviction in court giving the Manukau City Council power to remove graffiti on private property if it is visible from a public place creating instant fines of up to $300 relating to the display and storage of spray paint in retail premises, and the marking of graffiti providing power for the Police to require information and to arrest a person suspected of committing an offence.

Sir Barry says in recent weeks he has had many messages of support from other mayors, councils and MPs from around the country.

“What we have done by taking a stand has clearly touched a nerve in other parts of New Zealand. The graffiti problem is nationwide and people are sick to death of it.

“I would like to thank all the MPs who voted for the Bill. Our local MPs have also been fantastic in their support and showed great commitment in last night’s debate.

“I understand the Government is considering national legislation to control graffiti. I certainly hope that does happen but our Bill, once passed, will be able to act as a model for that legislation. Judging by the response from other parts of the country it will be a great step forward.”

ENDS

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