Graffiti
Council works with Queensland Corrective Services to remove or paint over most graffiti damage in Cairns. Council is responsible for removing graffiti from community assets and infrastructure owned or managed by Council, which can include roads, footpaths, street signs, rubbish bins, parks and gardens and council buildings such as libraries and community halls.
Graffiti damage to street lights, electricity boxes, railways lines, trains and some roadways is the responsibility of other government agencies or companies that own or maintains the property
Reporting graffiti damage
Graffiti vandalism is a crime that costs the community directly through clean-up response and insurance premiums. It can also lead to public perceptions of neglect, disorder and concerns about safety.
You can help manage graffiti in the community by reporting it quickly to CrimeStoppers or Police.
- Crime Stoppers: If you have information on graffiti vandalism, phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Anonymity is assured and there are cash rewards if information leads to arrest of a graffiti vandal.
- Alternatively, report wilful damage and graffiti via POLICELINK on 131 444 or via the online form.
Graffiti prevention
Council works with the Queensland Police Service, community organisations and businesses to prevent graffiti. There is no single solution, which is why graffiti management and prevention is a shared responsibility.
Our community murals program is one way we help to build pride in place in our communities and support street artists to beautify public places.
- Well-lit areas can deter graffiti vandalism.
- Remove graffiti as soon as possible after reporting it. Graffiti that is left tends to attract more. Keep a supply of colour-matched paint so you can quickly paint over any graffiti in future. Protective coatings and smooth surfaces can make graffiti removal easier.
- Dark colours are less attractive to graffiti vandals.
- Keep your property secure so vandals cannot easily access your walls or rooftops. Creepers, bushy foliage, grilles or lattice along walls can screen your surfaces and limit the amount of solid surface for graffiti vandals.
- Join Neighbourhood Watch and share responsibility with your neighbours to help prevent and report graffiti.
- Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles seek to reduce opportunities for vandalism through design of buildings and facilities.
Graffiti removal responsibilities
You are encouraged to report graffiti damage to the owner of the property, which might be Council, Ergon Energy, Queensland Rail or other government agencies
Private property owners or occupiers are responsible for removing graffiti on their premises. Under the Queensland Government's Summary Offences (Graffiti Removal Powers) Act 2008, Council can remove publicly visible graffiti from private property (where the graffiti can be removed without gaining entry to the property).
Council can also leave a graffiti removal notice for the owner/occupier, or seek the owner/occupier's consent to access the property in order to remove the publicly-visible graffiti.
- To report wilful damage and graffiti to private property, contact POLICELINK on 131 444, report it via the online form or call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
Council has a prioritised rating system for removal of graffiti from community assets and infrastructure owned and/or managed by Council. This can include roads, footpaths, street signs, litter bins, parks and gardens and buildings such as libraries and community halls. Obscene, offensive, racist or defamatory graffiti and vandalism on prominent sites or sites of significance is aimed for removal within 24 hours.
Extensive tagging in highly visible areas has a target removal of 10 working days. In low profile or low visibility areas.
Contact Ergon Energy to report graffiti damage to electricity infrastructure like street lights, meter boxes and Ergon buildings in Cairns.
Report Damage to Queensland Rail on 13 16 17 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000
Repor damage to Australia Post mailboxes
Last Updated: 30 October 2025
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