The use of variable message signs will tighten up after a “long overdue” review of council’s signage policy.
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Councillors have repeatedly called for a review of signage and advertising in public places for more than a year.
Now, amendments to the shire’s Development Control Plans (DCP) have allowed council to reconsider the use of variable message signs (VMS), particularly those on private land used to advertise third party events.
Mayor Ken Halstead encouraged residents to make submissions when the draft DCP was placed on public exhibition.
“It’s going out for people to comment on it, and that includes the people who put the signs up. If they don’t comment, the council can’t change anything,” he said. “I don’t know about you but when I drive around the shire I see signs and think ‘how did that get there?’.”
VMS were not a commonly used technology when the existing DCPs were implemented with the current Local Environmental Plan (LEP) in 2010. A draft report by council staff stated council had become “increasingly concerned” with the widespread public and private use of VMS on both public and private land.
Councillors discussed the risks of the digital boards at the February 22 council meeting. Cr Grahame Andrews said message boards in the wrong place could be dangerous, while Cr Duncan Gair said guidelines would have to match those of the Roads and Maritime Service.
“Signage is always an issue. Everyone should be on the same footing so one business can’t break the rules to be more visible or prominent than others.”
The draft DCP proposes that VMS only be allowed if:
- they contain information about public or community events, road works or emergency service purposes
- they are located on private land, with written permission from the landowner (excepting council-run events)
- they are not on roads with a speed limit above 70km/h
- the dynamic display change is not less than one second and it remains static between changes
- the illumination automatically adjusts to ambient light levels and it does not contain scrolling messages
The draft DCP will be on public exhibition for 28 days from March 1. At the end of this period, a report will be presented to council to note feedback received.