NEW signage will be installed around the Highlands to help promote the shire.
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Eight councillors voted to support the motion which endorsed new creative signs to be installed at entry and exit points and between localities within the shire.
Deputy general manager Mark Pepping said the signs erected across the shire currently are "quite outdated".
"The problem with some of the locality signs is they don't actually define the beginning and end of each of the localities," Mr Pepping said.
"I think we have one pre historic sign on the southern entrance into the shire which is a very faded, army green 'Welcome to the Southern Highlands' sign."
Three types of draft signs were approved including two billboard signs which would be made to be re-adapted as the marketing of the Southern Highlands changes. The second category includes the shire entry signs which would be located at the seven main entrances into the shire.
The third category is the locality signs which would be placed in the 52 localities of the shire. The signs will be back-to-back so as commuters leave one area, they will see the sign of the next locality they are moving into.
"The intention is to put these locality signs at the beginning of each of those localities so that you know when you are entering that locality," Mr Pepping said.
"This will also help particularly for emergency services as some of our roads for example, Nowra Road, pass through three localities so it gives people that recognition of which locality they may be in."
Councillor Garry Turland said it was "fantastic" the signs said Southern Highlands.
"The point is, the Southern Highlands, it's our home, it looks great, let's get it up there," Cr Turland said.
However, Councillor Larry Whipper said he was happy to see Wingecarribee Shire "emblazoned" on the shire entry points.
Councillor Holly Campbell was the only councillor to not support the motion and said it was a "confused marketing branding message".
"The problem with it is, it's the Wingecarribee Shire and it's the Southern Highlands, and what this has come from is the marketing program from the tourism department and that marketing program, like any marketing campaign, has a shelf life," Cr Campbell said.
"The thing is, when you go out with a marketing campaign with graphics around the shire, it means you have to change the signage artwork every time you change the marketing campaign as opposed to it being a branding exercise which is really what it should be."
Over two years council has preserved $100,000 for the installation of shire entry and locality signage, but the projected costs of the entire project are estimated to be about $221,000. The estimated cost for each billboard is $25,000 and the rural entry and locality signs will cost about $2000 to $3000 each. Council could choose to prioritise the signs and roll them out over a couple of years.
A report will be brought back to council following consultation with committees in regards to the budgetary constraints and a detailed roll out installation plan.