Posted: March 14, 2012

In the lead up to the state and local government elections, candidates and property owners are advised to be aware of the local laws regarding election signage.

Only one election sign per property, or Lot, is allowed under Southern Downs Local Law 1.4 for Advertising Devices and the sign must not have a face area of larger than 1sqm. No signs are permitted on road reserves or Council controlled land such as footpaths or parks.

“It is the property owner, not the sign owner, who will face penalties if laws are breached,” explained Rod Ferguson, Council’s Chief Executive Officer.

“It is the property owner’s responsibility to meet the local law. So if a candidate approaches you to put a sign on your property, it is important you are aware of the local law requirements.

“The intent of this local law is to protect the amenity of an area,” Mr Ferguson said.

“As an example, during the last election there were 23 councillor candidates and five Mayoral candidates, so if the local law was not in place there was potential for 28 signs on any one block.”

Council has become aware of several instances where there are more than one candidate sign on a Lot and is giving candidates and property owners until Monday to rectify the situation.

Council will carry out compliance inspections region wide on Monday. The release fee for signs which are impounded by Council is $100 per sign.

Candidates can apply to Council to have more than one sign on a Lot on a case by case basis. People can view the local laws on Council’s website at: http://www.southerndowns.qld.gov.au/content/Document/Local_Laws/sdrc/2011/SLL1.4%20(Installation%20of%20Advertising%20Devices)%202011.pdf

The rules are different for real estate signage, with the local law allowing one sign for each real estate agent marketing the property, up to a maximum of three signs on the one Lot, with each sign allowed a face area of up to 1.2sqm.

ENDS