By LAURA WAKELY
BRIMBANK City Council says offensive graffiti is increasing in Sunshine and Sunshine West.
Residents were shocked and disgusted by graffiti at a bus shelter on Hall St last week, which featured racist tagging aimed at the African community.
Council reported the graffiti to Adshel, who are responsible for maintaining bus shelters in the area.
Acting General Manager of Community Wellbeing Neil Whiteside said multiculturalism was one of Brimbank’s greatest strengths and should be celebrated.
“Brimbank City Council is committed to social justice, to building a city that supports and encourages our communities and individuals to strive to fulfil their aspirations,” Mr Whiteside said.
“Council deplores and rejects any action that works against the principles of equity, access, community participation and human rights for all citizens.”
He highlighted a number of programs and initiatives the council uses to engage members of all African communities and “foster understanding” between different cultures.
But, despite these efforts, General Manager of Infrastructure and Environment Paul Younis admitted council has noted an increase in offensive graffiti in Sunshine and Sunshine West.
Last month Victoria Police revealed for the first time Somali and Sudanese-born Victorians were five times more likely to commit a crime than the rest of the community, with a large proportion of offenders coming from the West (African youth in trouble, 28 August, Star).
Acting Inspector Chris Gilbert doesn’t believe the release of that information would fuel racist thinking and behaviour.
“We know that the African community and really we’re talking about the Australian-African community, these are people that live here, some of them that were born here,” Act Insp Gilbert said.
“I think people in Brimbank are far more attuned to the value migrants, African migrants, bring to the community.”
He said the figures were released to get a dialogue going for how newly-arrived residents could be better supported.
