2019-10-08 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                8 OCTOBER 2019


iv.   Extent of consultation
Some submissions raised concerns with the lack of consultation prior to the draft local law being
placed on public notification and suggested a need for a taskforce to work with businesses.
Response
This feedback is noted and has been taken on board.
Informal consultation was undertaken with real estate agents before the preparation of the draft
local law.
An information session was given to 2 business associations prior to public notification and the
offer was made for further small group consultation with businesses.
A business focus group was established in the later stages of consultation in response to this
feedback at the time. Officers have engaged with the business associations on potential options
and responses to issues raised in submissions and they will be further consulted during the next
public notification period.
Recommendation
No change to the draft local law is proposed in response to this issue.
Continue to consult with stakeholders on the proposed changes to the draft local law.
v.    Approvals process, licence renewal and fees
A significant number of objections were received on the proposed approvals process, associated
fees and ongoing annual licence renewal fees. Submitters stated fees were revenue raising, an
ongoing tax and created increased costs to business and the approvals process was an increase
in red tape, complex and confusing. Suggestions were made that Council should fund signage
compliance through their budget (general rates) and not charge businesses.
There was some support for the approval process as a means for ensuring signage meets the
requirements.
Response to approval process and fee
The purpose of the approval process and annual licence renewal is to ensure signs with an
impact on the streetscape, and most often with compliance issues, are assessed against criteria
and issued an approval to which they must comply. The annual licence renewal and fee was
aimed at maintaining and funding ongoing compliance checks of signage.
The increased red tape and ongoing financial concerns for businesses is acknowledged and
significant changes are now proposed. In this regard it is proposed that an approvals process
only be required for new signs that have the greatest impact on the streetscape and have
structural or safety concerns.
Window and wall signs are not structural and raise no safety concerns and are therefore
proposed to no longer require an approval and should become self-assessable against the
relevant criteria.
However, new pole, pylon, freestanding and all illuminated signs are structural, are prominent in
the streetscape and illuminated signs have potential fire risks and therefore are proposed to
continue to require approval. A one off application and fee for these new sign types will still be
required. This fee is cost recoverable for the assessment and approval process for these signs
only.
Response to annual licence renewal fee
Council is currently funding a signage audit and compliance program over a temporary 4 year
period through general revenue. As part of the draft local law, it was proposed that future ongoing
signage compliance be funded through an annual licence renewal fee. However, the ongoing
financial burden of an annual fee and increase in red tape for business is acknowledged and
requires review.

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