Scribes in Esplanade shadows?

There are 19 streetlights currently not working on Harbour Esplanade between Bourke and Collins St, according to one local business owner’s count.

“There are some really dark patches, most notably the corner of Collins St and Harbour Esplanade,” Andrew Ward, who is managing director of the PUSH! Group, said.

“I noticed this when leaving at 8.20pm and then counted the lights this morning at five when I arrived. It’s actually very dark and needs urgent attention.”

Mr Ward also believes that graffiti culture is “creeping” into Docklands, citing an increase in the same area as the faulty streetlights.

“We need to be vigilant about it. It’s been quite a pristine area for some time. I’ve noticed in the last month it’s become worse.”

A City of Melbourne spokesperson said: “The City of Melbourne has not seen an increase in requests for graffiti removal for locations addressed within the (sic) Docklands.”

Mr Ward said that he had reported graffiti in the past and had it removed promptly, but added: “Now there’s a lot more and it’s bigger. It’s on parking meters, signs, walls of buildings.”