By Jeremy Cook
Would it really be an election without controversy over campaign signage?
If upcoming local government elections in the Southern Downs were anything to go by, then no.
Election candidates were told to get familiar with local signage regulations last week as Southern Downs Regional Council chief executive Dave Burges issued a thinly veiled warning to the region’s political hopefuls.
In a list of guidelines published by the council, candidates were reminded of several key signage issues such as where signs can be placed, their size and what condition they can be kept in.
“Candidates should familiarise themselves with these guidelines to ensure their election signage adheres to the prescribed criteria and does not pose risks to road users or inconvenience the public,” Mr Burges said.
“Candidates need to consider the location, display period, construction and placement of their election signage when installing.”
While the council has only received a small number of complaints, according to a council spokeswoman, concerns over the placement of election corflutes have been front of mind for some online.
The council will investigate complaints, the spokeswoman said, to ensure signs are installed in accordance with the local laws.
“Council has received a small number of complaints, but also enquiries from candidates wanting to ensure they are erecting signs in accordance with the legislative requirements,” she said.
“The guidelines are intended to assist candidates ensure compliance, as well as inform residents if they have any concerns about signage placement.”
Under local laws, election signage is considered any sign or display intended to influence voters at a local government election.
Guidelines issued for candidates included:
– The election sign must be kept in good order and repair
– The election sign must not be located on local government property including trust land, a reserve, premises of which the local government is the owner or occupier or a Council asset
– The election sign must not have a face area in excess of 1m2, unless the sign is displayed on an approved advertisement
– The election sign must not constitute a risk to public safety, road safety or obstruct the use of a road or pathway. There are several criteria provided in the Subordinate Local Law 1.4 to ensure this requirement is – met, including the positioning of signs
Under Queensland government regulations, election signs can be no larger than 0.6m2 when placed on state-controlled roads.
