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Partnering GuideActive Management of Graffiti Vandalism in a

Rail Corridor

December 2010

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This guide was developed by representatives of the Auckland Region Graffiti Free (ARGF) project in association with KiwiRail, the Department of Corrections (Corrections) and Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

Project team members who provided invaluable input into the development of the guide include:

Auckland Council Anna Crane

Auckland Council Mark Maxlow

Auckland Council Roslyn Prictor

Auckland Council Christine Van

Auckland Council Melissa Walen

Auckland Motorway Alliance Rob Lorden

Auckland Region Graffiti Free Project Stewart Andrews

Department of Corrections Karl Bethell

KiwiRail Jenni Austin

KiwiRail Gill Evans

Manukau Beautification Trust Graeme Bakker

Manukau Beautification Trust Barbara Carney

Safer Papakura Donna Brooke

Tag Out Trust Iris Donoghue

Acknowledgements

DISCLAIMERARGF, Ministry of Justice, KiwiRail, Auckland Council, Corrections and any other individual or organisation involved in the preparation of this guide is not liable for any loss, injury or damage arising to any organisation or individual from the use of the guide. The information is presented for the purpose of illustration only and is in no way a statement of how particular issues or decisions must be dealt with.

Your use of this Guide constitutes acceptance of the contents of this disclaimer.

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Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

What is Graffiti Vandalism? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

The STOP Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Rail Corridor Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

STOP Tags Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Measuring Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Role of KiwiRail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Role of a Local Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Role of a Rail Service Provider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Department of Corrections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Ministry of Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Commercial Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Good Practice Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Case Study 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Case Study 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Case Study 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Case Study 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Case Study 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Safety Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Required Safety Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

KiwiRail Individual Train Detection – Restricted Training. . . . . . . . 25

A Model Safety Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

For More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Contents

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IntroductionGraffiti vandalism is a significant problem in urban areas of the rail corridor.

Graffiti vandalism is a community issue. Solutions for addressing graffiti vandalism that meet community expectations can best be resolved through a partnership approach between the railway owner, the relevant local authority, utility companies, transport agencies, government departments and community trusts.

KiwiRail as owner and manager of the rail network has processes in place to manage rail corridor appearance issues, with a primary focus of ensuring operational safety. However in some instances the resources available do not enable KiwiRail to meet community expectations. In these instances KiwiRail seeks to establish partnerships with communities to support its efforts, as it recognises this is a proven way of making the best use of finite resources.

ARGF was established in 2007 to provide a coordinated approach to the eradication of graffiti vandalism across metropolitan Auckland. This involved work with the Police, territorial local authorities, Department of Corrections, Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders.

From 2007 to 2010 ARGF was instrumental in establishing several partnerships to manage graffiti vandalism and undertake beautification work in the Auckland rail corridor. Activities included active removal of graffiti and litter, and appropriate planting to improve the general appearance of the rail corridor and discourage further graffiti.

The biggest challenge for managing such programmes is the inherently hazardous nature of the rail corridor. Because the level of risk varies around the network, different safety measures are required to ensure the safety of those working within the rail corridor.

This guide provides some options for a par tnership approach to managing the eradication of graffiti vandalism and beautification of a rail corridor, taking into account the safety and risk factors involved.

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Graffiti vandalism is a crime that can be associated with reduced perceptions of community safety, low civic pride, increased criminal activity, a decline in property values and may be perceived as a symptom of community unease. The public can enjoy “clean neighbourhoods” where there is active management of graffiti vandalism.

Graffiti vandalism is the act of a person damaging or defacing any building, structure, road, tree, property, or other thing by writing, drawing, painting, spraying or etching on it, or otherwise marking it –

(a) Without lawful authority; and

(b) Without the consent of the occupier or owner or other person in lawful control.

(Summary Offences Act 1981)

What is Graffiti Vandalism?

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The STOP Strategy was developed by the Ministry of Justice in September 20081.

The STOP Graffiti Guide was produced in 2009 and is based on the STOP Strategy Graffiti Vandalism Intervention Framework of prevention, management and enforcement.

The STOP Strategy recognises that many people display considerable artistic talent and can express this via graffiti style graphics. However if in the course of this “expression” they mark or damage someone else’s property without permission it is a crime.

This guide is a companion to the STOP Graffiti Guide and may be read in conjunction with this document, or as a stand-alone document for managing graffiti vandalism and undertaking beautification work along a rail corridor.

The STOP Strategy

1 www.justice.govt.nz

How to STOP Graffiti Guide

A practical resource for territorial authorities, schools,

businesses and private residents.

Prepared by the Ministry of Justice

The STOP Graffiti Guide, 2009

KEY MESSAGEGraffiti Vandalism is a crime. The zero tolerance approach to graffiti vandalism adopted by the Ministry of Justice includes all of the rail corridors in New Zealand.

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A rail corridor has distinct issues and challenges that have to be considered when developing a strategy and plan for management of graffiti vandalism.

They are highly dangerous places with speeding trains in confined spaces requiring detailed safety plans in place to ensure safe access under controlled conditions.

Some areas of a rail corridor are very compact and for this reason will be difficult to access. In some instances a partnership approach may not be suitable because of safety concerns, and in high profile areas where access is difficult specially trained private contractors may be required. This situation is compounded when double or triple tracking is in place along sections of the corridor.

Electrification of the rail network further increases safety concerns. Service agreements in place for management of graffiti vandalism and beautification of the rail corridor must meet these changing conditions.

Although it is possible to treat a rail corridor as one entity for planning purposes, operationally a rail corridor must be divided into sections, and safety plans developed for each section of the rail corridor. Risks and access issues have to be assessed on a case by case basis.

Commercial properties line the rail corridor but for various reasons some owners don’t take responsibility for removing graffiti vandalism from their buildings. The process of gaining access to the rail corridor for removal of graffiti vandalism can be an obstacle for programmes to eradicate graffiti vandalism. Permission to enter the track can only be granted if a trained supervisor is provided. Commercial property owners are not trained to access the rail corridor.

Rail Corridor Projects

KEY MESSAGE

KEY MESSAGE

A rail corridor may be treated as one entity for planning purposes, but operationally it needs to be divided into sections and safety plans must be developed for each individual section of the rail corridor to reflect the level of risk involved, including access and other issues.

A rail corridor is not homogeneous. In particular there may be areas of the track:

■ With very limited access under strict safety controls

■ With limited access under strict safety controls

■ With high public visibility where removal of graffiti vandalism is a priority

■ With low public visibility where removal of graffiti vandalism is a low priority.

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A STOP Tags database was developed within the ARGF Project to support the management of graffiti vandalism.

The database captures digital photographic images of graffiti tags, the physical location of incidents, and the cost of damage, repair and complainant details.

The images and information are used by Police during the interviews of graffiti vandals and as evidence in Court. A database enables information sharing between territorial authorities and other agencies.

The STOP Tags database information capture capability includes:

■ Square metres painted out (for cost reporting)

■ Litres of paint applied (for cost reporting)

■ Litres of chemicals used (for cost reporting)

■ Manpower hours used (for cost reporting)

■ Number of tags removed (comparative data)

■ Individual tags summarised by specific tag style, name, date and place.

STOP Tags Database

KEY MESSAGEThe STOP Tags database is an essential tool in the fight against graffiti vandalism as it stores specific information on tags in a useable format to support graffiti management and enforcement. .

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The success of a rail corridor project can be measured by analysing information gathered over time in the Stop Tags database including the number of tags removed.

The success of a rail corridor project can also be measured in the following ways:

■ High profile areas along the rail corridor are free of graffiti and litter

■ Positive feedback from users of the rail corridor

■ Positive publicity through local and national newspapers

■ Application of CPTED principles including planting of appropriate vegetation resulting in a reduction in instances of graffiti vandalism.

Measuring SuccessKEY MESSAGEThe active management of graffiti vandalism, together with prevention measures such as appropriate planting of trees and shrubs and enforcement, contribute to a reduction in graffiti vandalism and provide for longer term cost savings.

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KiwiRail as owner and manager of the rail network has processes in place to manage corridor appearance issues, with a primary focus on ensuring operational safety.

However in some instances the resources available do not enable it to meet community expectations. In these instances KiwiRail partners with local authorities, transport authorities, utility companies, Department of Corrections, the Ministry of Justice and community trusts to support its efforts, as it recognises this is a proven way of making the best use of finite resources.

KiwiRail own and maintain bridges that contain railway tracks that cross the motorway, state highways and local road. In Auckland, NZTA owns the bridges where the state highway crosses over the rail corridor and the Auckland Motorway Alliance, on behalf of NZTA, maintains motorway bridges.

In Auckland, KiwiRail employs a Corridor Appearance Coordinator to work with partners on projects that improve the appearance of the rail corridor.

KiwiRail’s involvement in partnership schemes can include:■ Developing a high level strategy and a

strategic plan for graffiti management in consultation with community partners based around the strategic themes of eradication, enforcement and education

■ Providing appropriate safety training for supervisors of rail network projects

■ Approving Safety Plans and processing “Permit to Enter” application forms

■ Contracting service providers to eradicate graffiti vandalism, remove litter and undertake planting and other beautification projects along the rail corridor

■ Reaching agreements with commercial owners of property that form a boundary with the rail corridor to secure approval to paint out graffiti on property

■ Reaching agreements with owners of other infrastructure in the rail corridor e.g. transport authorities, utility companies, regional organisations

■ Liaising with any individual or organisation who has graffiti on their property which is visible from the rail corridor.

Role of KiwiRail

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A local authority can play a key partner role in working with a rail network provider to provide the following:

■ Developingahighlevelstrategyandastrategicplanforgraffitimanagementbasedaroundthestrategicthemesoferadication,enforcementandeducation

■ Developingagraffitimanagementplantoensureconsistentdeliveryofservices,sustainablereductionsingraffitivandalismoffences,achievementofcommunityoutcomes,andareducedcosttoratepayers;

■ PartneringwiththerailnetworkproviderandotherstakeholdersincludingCorrectionstoestablishinitiativestoeradicategraffitivandalismandundertakebeautificationworktomeetcommunityexpectations.

Operationally a local authority can play an important coordination and administration role as follows:

■ Identifying“hotspots”andcoordinatingtheworkprogrammeandsafetyplanswithKiwiRailandotherserviceproviders

■ Organisingandhiringportaloos,rubbishskipsanddisposalofrubbishonasitebysitebasis

■ Organisingandsupplyingsafetyequipmentforthoseworkingontherailcorridorandmaintaininganinventoryofsuchequipment

■ Supplyinggardenmulchandlowmaintenancetreesandshrubsforbeautificationwork

■ Liaisingwithbusinessesthatformaboundarywiththerailcorridorincludingencouragingbusinessestousegraffitiguardandagreeingspecialcorporatecolourswhererequiredtopaintovergraffitivandalism.

WithintheAucklandregionasignificantportionof the resource required to fulfill the localauthority“role” ismadepossible as a result offixed term Ministry of Justice Stop StrategyGraffitifunding.

RoleofaLocalAuthority

KEY MESSAGEA local authority can play a key role in partnering with the railway owner to develop high level strategies for managing graffiti vandalism and undertaking beautification work in the rail corridor as well as providing operational support.

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In some parts of the rail network KiwiRail does not provide a commuter rail service. These services are provided by alternative rail service providers who lease the platforms from KiwiRail and provide railway stations and associated facilities. In this case they are responsible for management of graffiti vandalism of these assets.

This may involve the following:

■ Management and removal of graffiti vandalism within an agreed timeframe

■ Regular security patrols and monitored CCTV surveillance of all stations

■ Graffiti guarding of all accessible painted surfaces

■ Installation of sacrificial film on glass shelters (which can be removed and replaced once it gets too badly scratched).

■ A proactive relationship with Police so that if graffiti vandalism is observed on a CCTV camera Police can respond and catch offenders in the act

■ Providing CCTV footage of the offence in progress as evidence to help the Police secure a conviction

■ Securing the award of reparations to pay for the damage caused.

Role of a Rail Service Provider

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Corrections supervises people who are ordered by the courts to undertake community service work and is thus available to provide a valuable human resource to support efforts to eradicate graffiti vandalism.

Corrections workers are available seven days a week, although for safety reasons access entry to a rail corridor may be granted only on days when there is a limited train service operating.

Involving Corrections in eradication of graffiti vandalism provides community benefits as follows:

■ The opportunity for offenders to undertake meaningful work within their own communities

■ The cost saving to the community is beneficial when labour costs are met through this means.

In order to participate in a rail corridor project Corrections must ensure that the supervisors and workers have undertaken the appropriate level of safety training provided by KiwiRail.

In particular Corrections can be involved in a rail corridor project in the following ways:

■ Manage graffiti vandalism projects and undertake beautification work along the rail corridor. (NOTE: KiwiRail specify the Safety Plan requirements for specific areas of the rail corridor and outline the work to be undertaken)

■ Provide supervisors who are appropriately trained to the very high standard required by KiwiRail

■ Provide labour, vehicles, trailers and food for the workers

■ Organise planting days in areas along the rail corridor that are being targeted by recidivist graffiti vandalism offenders.

Department of Corrections

KEY MESSAGEWork on eradicating graffiti vandalism and beautification of the rail corridor provides meaningful work for people sentenced to community service as well as providing cost savings for the railway owner, the local authority and the community.

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The MoJ is responsible for initiating, coordinating and supporting the STOP Strategy for graffiti vandalism.

Arising from the STOP Strategy contestable funding round, the MoJ provided fixed term project funding. In some areas this project funding was used to employ local graffiti vandalism coordinators, purchase safety equipment and support beautification projects along the rail corridor.

The MoJ continues to play an important role in monitoring and, where necessary, recommending amendments to national legislation on issues relating to graffiti vandalism and is responsible for coordinating a central government response to graffiti vandalism.

The MoJ also provides secretariat support to the STOP Strategy Review Group which has representation from KiwiRail and the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Ministry of Justice

KEY MESSAGEThe Ministry of Justice is an important partner in the fight against graffiti vandalism and provides project funding for initiatives which support the STOP Graffiti Strategy.

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Resene Paints supports the eradication of graffiti vandalism in New Zealand, by providing recycled paint to any council or volunteer organisation at no charge for painting out of graffiti vandalism.

Resene has also provided free overalls, and contributed to the cost of designing and printing an anti-graffiti brochure which is supplied to communities when assisting with their graffiti management programmes.

Commercial PartnersKEY MESSAGECommercial partners “with a social conscience” can play an important role in the fight against graffiti vandalism in the rail corridors.

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Good Practice OverviewKiwiRail seeks to establish partnerships to support its efforts to manage corridor appearance issues as it recognises this is a proven way of making the best use of finite resources.

Since 2007 ARGF has been responsible for coordinating a number of different models for management of graffiti vandalism and beautification of the rail corridor.

The models developed involve work along the rail corridor to:

■ Remove graffiti vandalism and litter on an ongoing basis

■ Plant trees and shrubs to mitigate graffiti vandalism

■ Undertake maintenance of planted areas on an ongoing basis

■ Record occurrences of graffiti vandalism in the Stop Tags database

■ Support enforcement (evidential information) leading to prosecutions.

Community partners may include local authorities, Corrections, Police, MoJ and community trusts whose purpose is to enhance the environment by helping in the fight to eradicate graffiti vandalism.

KiwiRail specifies for community partners the safety environment required to work in the rail corridor. Safety Plans are developed with community partners and “Permit to Enter” applications are issued by KiwiRail before accessing the rail corridor.

All rail supervisors and all rail crew must be appropriately trained so that they understand the safety requirements. KiwiRail provides appropriate safety training for supervisors and rail crew on all of the rail corridor projects. All workers on the rail corridor must also meet the stringent drug and alcohol free testing requirement.

Safety equipment including safety boots, overalls, high visibility vests, gloves, ear muffs, fire extinguishers, and barricade tape must be provided to supervisors and workers involved in rail corridor projects. ARGF funding has been used for this purpose or alternatively funds have been provided for this purpose by a local

Remove graffiti vandalism and

litter on an ongoing basis

Plant trees and shrubs to

mitigate graffiti vandalism

Record occurrences of graffiti

vandalism in the Stop Tags

database

Support enforcement (evidential

information) leading to

prosecutions

Undertake maintenance of planted areas on an ongoing basis

Partnering Best Practice

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Good Practice Overview continued...

authority or community trust. A list of safety equipment required on rail corridor projects is attached to this document.

Territorial local authorities may identify eradication of graffiti vandalism as a priority community outcome and include provision in Long Term and Annual Plans to support community based initiatives.

Corrections have sufficient labour to carry out work along the rail corridor and may partner with KiwiRail and other partners to undertake this work. Work is usually restricted to Sundays when there is less “traffic” along the rail corridor. Where Corrections working parties are employed a portaloo must be provided.

There is active engagement with the Police by the Trusts and local authorities involved in rail corridor graffiti management projects. Photographs of tags taken with a PDA are entered into the Stop Tags database and this supports the graffiti management enforcement process. Trusts and local authorities are all proactive in alerting the Police about offenders.

Of note, effective 1 November 2010 a single Auckland Council was established. This resulted from the amalgamation of the previous 7 local authorities and 1 regional council. As a result this has enhanced the opportunities available to reduce and prevent graffiti vandalism.

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CASE STUDIESSTOP

Case Study 1

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The Manukau Beautification Charitable Trust (Beautiful Manukau) is a CCO that was contracted by Manukau City Council (MCC) to service a range of community projects to help make the Manukau region a beautiful place to live and work in.

Since 2007 the Trust has been involved in management of graffiti vandalism and beautification work on 14 kilometres of the Auckland rail corridor. This model requires a significant financial commitment from the local authority as the Trust employs people on a full time basis to work on the rail corridor, and does not use any Corrections workers.

The scale and scope of the projects undertaken by Beautiful Manukau have increased significantly since 2007, with the learning from earlier projects applied to subsequent projects. This has evolved over time and the Trust has also undertaken beautification work under contract to KiwiRail on various sections of the rail corridor within Auckland City.

Beautiful Manukau’s records show that the number of tags for all graffiti work across the city including the rail corridor project has decreased from 24,083 in October 2005 to 3,701 in October 2010. They also show that the square metres of paint applied has decreased from 11,475 in October 2005 to 7,796 in October 2010 and the litres of paint applied has decreased from 2,170 in October 2005 to 998 in October 2010.

In addition to the standard functions previously described, Beautiful Manukau provide an education in schools programme (a component of the schools programme includes the rail corridor).

In summary, key features of this model are as follows:

■ The local authority contracted a community trust to eradicate graffiti vandalism and undertake beautification work along the rail corridor within their local authority area

■ The community trust recruited, trained and managed staff and provided vehicles, low maintenance trees and shrubs and garden mulch, safety equipment and paint. Resene provides recycled paint.

Local authority contracted a

community trust to eradicate graffiti

vandalism & undertake beautification work along

the rail corridor within their local authority area

Community trust recruited, trained &

managed staffand provided vehicles, low maintenance trees, shrubs

& garden mulch, safety equipment and paint.

Resene provides recycled paint.

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CASE STUDIESSTOP

Case Study 2

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Waitakere City Council (WCC) partnered with KiwiRail, Corrections and MoJ to coordinate a rail corridor project.

KiwiRail entered into a collaboration agreement with Corrections to provide labour and workers to complete beautification work along the rail corridor within the city and WCC employed a Graffiti Vandalism Coordinator funded by MoJ who acted as a facilitator between KiwiRail and Corrections.

WCC put a process in place whereby feedback was sought from politicians, staff and community groups within Waitakere to locate “hot spots” needing attention across the rail corridor. They took a holistic approach to graffiti vandalism including use of murals, rapid eradication, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and basic landscaping to deter graffiti vandalism offenders.

WCC worked with Corrections to coordinate the work programme and provided portaloos,

skip bins, low maintenance trees and shrubs and garden mulch for work along the rail corridor. The ARGF provided funding for the safety equipment, brushes and rollers used by Corrections workers.

In summary, key features of this model are as follows:

■ The MoJ provided funding to enable the local authority to employ a Graffiti Vandalism Coordinator for a defined period of time

■ The Graffiti Vandalism Coordinator worked with Corrections to liaise with KiwiRail to manage graffiti vandalism and undertake beautification work within a defined section of the rail corridor;

■ Corrections provided a supervisor, workers, vehicles and food for the workers

■ The local authority provided portaloos, skip bins, low maintenance trees and shrubs and garden mulch and Resene provided the paint.

MoJ provided funding to enable local authory to employ Graffiti

Vandalism Coordinator for defined period

Coordinator worked with

Corrections to negotiate with

KiwiRail to manage graffiti vandalism& beautification

Local authority provided portaloos,

skip bins, trees & strubs and garden

mulch. Resene provided paint.

Corrections provided

supervisor, workers, vehicles & food

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CASE STUDIESSTOP

Case Study 3

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Funding for tools and safety equipment was provided by ARGF, and Council provided portaloos and took responsibility for rubbish removal. Safer Papakura wrote offence reports and met weekly with Police, PDC and Schools to share intelligence.

There are two stations in Papakura over a 3 kilometer area, but Papakura station is the third busiest on the Auckland rail network.

In summary, key features of this model are as follows:

■ The community trust liaised with KiwiRail to manage graffiti vandalism within a defined section of the rail corridor;

■ The community trust negotiated with Corrections to provide a supervisor and workers;

■ Corrections provided vehicles and food for the workers;

■ The local authority provided portaloos and skip bins and Resene provided the paint.

Community trust entered into

agreement with KiwiRail to manage graffiti vandalism

within defined section

Community trust negotiated with Corrections to

provide supervisor and workers

Local authority provided portaloos

& skip bins. Resene provided

paint.

Corrections provided

vehicles and food for the workers

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CASE STUDIESSTOP

Case Study 4

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Rodney District Council (RDC) employed a Graffiti Vandalism Coordinator funded by the MoJ. The planned project will focus on the Rodney area of the rail corridor in a partnership with KiwiRail and Ngati Whatua Nga Rima o Kaipara Charitable Trust who have a contract with Corrections as a service provider.

At the time of publication, the project was in the planning process with the intention of stakeholders working together with the Council responsible for scoping the selected areas and for the Corrections provider to supply the working parties. ARGF has provided funding for safety boots, overalls, high visibility vests and other safety equipment.

In summary, key features of this model are as follows:

■ The MoJ provided funding to the local authority to enable them to employ a Graffiti Vandalism Coordinator for a defined period of time;

■ The Graffiti Vandalism Coordinator is working with a local iwi towards them providing workers to clean up and eradicate graffiti vandalism within the rail corridor;

■ The local authority will assist with waste management and waste removal;

■ Resene will provide the paint to cover up the tags.

MoJ provided funding to enable local authory to employ Graffiti

Vandalism Coordinator for defined period

Coordinator is working with local iwi

to provide workers to clean up and eradicate graffiti

vandalism

Local authority will assist with waste management &

removal

Resene will provide paint to cover up

the tags

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CASE STUDIESSTOP

Case Study 5

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Franklin District Council (FDC) employed a Graffiti Vandalism Coordinator as part of their staff for work on a rail corridor project in a partnership with Corrections and KiwiRail, due to commence in 2011. ARGF provided funding for safety boots, overalls, high visibility vests and other safety equipment.

Corrections will provide a supervisor and workers and the Graffiti Vandalism Coordinator will scope the selected areas and manage the Corrections working parties.

In summary, key features of this model are as follows:

■ The local authority employ a Graffiti Vandalism Coordinator;

■ The Graffiti Vandalism Coordinator works with Corrections to liaise with KiwiRail to manage graffiti vandalism and undertake beautification work within a defined section of the rail corridor;

■ Corrections provides a supervisor, workers, vehicles and food for the workers;

■ The local authority provides portaloos and skip bins.

The local authority emply a Graffiti

Prevention Coordinator

Graffiti Vandalism Coordinator works with Corrections to liaise with KiwiRail to manage graffiti

& undertake beautification work

Corrections provides

supervisor, workers, vehicles & food

Local authority provided portaloos

and skip bins

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The following safety equipment is needed for a work gang of up to 7 workers per party with one supervisor provided.

Approximate Cost

■ 10 pair steel boots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 per pair

■ 10 overalls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $85.00 each

■ 10 day/night orange glow high visibility vests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35.00 each

■ 10 pair gloves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5.00 each

■ 10 pair of safety glasses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.00 each

■ 2 pair ear muffs (worn if a weed eater is being used) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35.00 each

■ 2 air horns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.00 each

■ 2 safety barriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.00 each

■ 2 fire extinguishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $80.00 each

■ 2 reels of barricade tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $58.00 each

Safety Equipment

KEY MESSAGECorrect safety equipment must be worn by all people accessing the rail corridor. NOTE: If Corrections workers are used a portaloo must be provided.

■ Weed eaters may be required for management of vegetation.

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KiwiRail requires Safety Plans to be completed by partner organisations for all sections of the rail corridor. These are individually tailored to suit each situation. KiwiRail provides guidance on correct completion of Safety Plans. Following is a guide on minimum standards required in accordance with each safety plan.

■ Approval (preferably written) from commercial property owners backing onto the rail corridor to access the site

■ A ratio of one (1) community service supervisor to every seven (7) workers (1:7)

■ Safety barricades erected and workers must stay within the boundaries of the safety barriers

■ Where the corridor narrows to less than 5 metres, ITD-R Protection must be used. The protector must carry an air horn for warning of a train approaching

■ Rubbish must be carried out by hand or trolley to a trailer parked close to the access

■ Where vegetation is removed by a line trimmer a protector must be provided

■ Vegetation must be no less than 2 metres from the track and all workers must observe safety rules set out by ITD-R

■ Workers must at all times wear gloves, full body cover ankle to elbow, overalls, orange high visibility jackets, safety glasses, steel toe capped lace up boots; and face masks and hats (summer/winter)

■ Anyone entering the rail corridor must NOT wear red or green coloured clothing as these are signaling colours

■ Two fire extinguishers must be on hand at all times with the groups in case of fire emergencies

■ Two air horns must be provided in accordance with ITD-R guidelines

■ The group must carry with them a fully stocked first aid box.

Required Safety Standards

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KiwiRail provide ITD-R training as the minimum requirement for any person to have access to the rail corridor. ITDR training is the “learners’ license” of railways protection and is needed if entering within 2 outstretched arm lengths of the edge of the closest rail track.

Because the rail corridor is a highly hazardous environment, the priority is for the safety of everyone working on and near the rail corridor. The training is complex and full details are contained within a training manual. Some interesting features of the training are as following:

■ No i-pods or MP3 players or similar can be worn around the rail corridor because full hearing is required to detect an approaching train;

■ Underground services must be identified before digging within the rail corridor;

■ Orange hi-visibility vests, steel toe-capped above ankle lace up boots, and full body cover from ankle to elbow must be worn at all times;

■ All personnel entering the rail corridor must be free of the effects of alcohol or drugs;

■ A “Permit to Enter” must be issued by KiwiRail before accessing the corridor;

■ An observer, who must be ITD-R trained, may be appointed to protect another person or group accessing the track.

KiwiRail Individual Train Detection – Restricted Training

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KiwiRail works with partners to draw up Safety Plans for all work to be carried out within the rail corridor.

Components of a typical safety plan drawn up for access to the rail corridor for the purpose

of the graffiti rail corridor project are as follows:

■ Identification of partners and an outline of their commitment to the plan

■ Description of the Project

■ Description of the day of the week, location, access, staffing, equipment and permit number

■ Location Site Plans - ITD-R Site Specific Plans and Location Maps

■ Work Project Hazard Management Guideline Job Aid: Landscaping

■ Record of Accident or Incident not causing serious harm

■ Accident Report: Form of register of circumstances of accident or serious harm

■ KiwiRail Individual Train Detection Safety Check.

A Model Safety Plan

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For more information on graffiti eradication, visit the following websites:

Kiwi Rail website: www.kiwirail.co.nz

Auckland Council website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Ministry of Justice website: www.justice.govt.nz

For More Information

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