Cleaning up graffiti is costing Australia an estimated $300 million every year. But Victorian councils could soon be using nanotechnology to prevent graffiti if current trials go well.
Connex, VicRoads and Victorian councils are currently trialling Eco-Barrier, an anti-graffit product that uses nanotechnology, in a bid to cut their costs.
Victorian city councils, public transport suppliers and infrastructure are currently spending around $200 million per year cleaning up graffiti.
“This product was recently tested by rail network supplier Connex at Flinders Street station in Melbourne. Connex spends $11 million per year on graffiti removal. The location is tagged with graffiti every 20 minutes,” Nanokote representative John Caprioglio said.
The paint-on coating is transparent and permanent. It can be used on all surfaces including concrete, brick, paint, timber, metal, glass and plastic. Once a surface is coated, graffiti can be removed by using a readily available environmentally friendly cleaner.
However, is losing Melbourne’s graffiti such a good thing? Some of the city’s best tags have already been considered for heritage protection by National Trust and Heritage Victoria. British artist Banksy said that the graffiti in Melbourne's laneways is arguably Australia's most significant contribution to the arts since they stole all the Aborigine's pencils.
