TRADERS have backed the council’s bid to wipe out graffiti in Cardinia Shire.

Last week the Gazette revealed the shire’s plan to remove graffiti tags and scrawl from commercial and residential properties in the area.

The new council plan will be kick-started by a $25,000 clean-up of graffiti across the shire.

The sale of spray cans to people under the age of 18 will be banned and a graffiti hotline will be set up so residents can “dob-in” graffiti vandals.

Pakenham business group president Michael Porter said it was excellent that the council had decided to crack down on graffiti.

“It (graffiti) seems to be getting progressively worse and we need to get on top of it,” he said.

Lazy Frog owner Janet Pursell, whose Main St business has been a target of graffiti vandals, said the council’s tough stance was a big step towards removing the biggest blight on the town.

“It’s brilliant. Anything that can be done is great,” she said.

“Nothing makes the place look slummier than writing all over walls.”

Ms Pursell also said increased lighting in Main St could help to eradicate the problem.

“Lighting is essential to help prevent graffiti. If everything’s well lit it reduces the risk,” she said.

Hardy’s Mitre 10 managing director Darrell Hardy supported the council’s ban on the sale of spray cans to people under the age of 18, but said his business already had a similar policy in place.

“It’s a good thing, but not dissimilar to what we’re already doing. We won’t sell spray cans to minors. That’s been our policy for several years,” he said.

Mr Hardy said Mitre 10 strongly backed the council’s action plan.

“We’re very supportive of what the council’s doing,” he said.

“Casey has got a strong thrust on it, we’re glad to see Cardinia going the same way.”

The new council plan will begin with a $25,000 one-off clean-up of graffiti tags and scrawls from commercial and residential properties around Cardinia.

As well as the moves to make it harder for graffiti vandals to buy materials such as spray paint cans, a new graffiti register will make it easier for authorities to track offenders.

Cardinia’s bid reflects the similarly hard-line stance taken earlier this year by the City of Casey.

Pakenham councillor Brett Owen said graffiti was a crime and authorities should make every effort to stamp it out.

“Graffiti is a problem that has increased in recent times. This new policy represents a significant commitment to tackling the problem,” Cr Owen said.

Council has also sought a $150,000 government grant to help pay for further initiatives to fight graffiti and vandalism.