As the NSW State Government election nears, candidates and their supporters are reminded they must comply with State and Council regulations when erecting political signage.
Ahead of the ballot on Saturday 25 March 2023, Council is reminding candidates of the strict rules governing the erection and display of political signage, which is now permitted to be displayed up to 8 weeks ahead of the polling date.
Council officers will undertake a program of compliance and monitoring to ensure all posters and signage containing electoral material comply with the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 Division 2, Subdivision 13 - Election signs.
As part of these regulations, election signs must be no more than 0.8 square metres in area. This excludes banner signs that contain a continuous row of standard-sized signs.
No signs are allowed to be displayed on Council's road reserves, either free-standing pole signs or those affixed to trees or street furniture. Signage is also not allowed to be displayed on a trailer parked on a road or road-related areas.
All unauthorised signs will be removed by Council officers.
Election signs can be affixed to private telegraph poles, however the owner needs to be certain the pole is not owned by an electricity provider as legal action has occurred elsewhere in NSW. All signage connected to power poles will be reported to Essential Energy for their attention and action.
Signs can be attached to the walls of houses or commercial buildings, as long as they adhere to size limitations in State regulations and are not attached to heritage or draft heritage items.
Any signs that do not comply with the above rules may be removed by Council officers and will attract a Council fee for retrieval. Any signs remaining one week after the election (1 April 2023) will also be removed.
