2019-10-08 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                   8 OCTOBER 2019


Because there are wider community benefits to ensuring signage is compliant, and the character
and amenity of Noosa is maintained, it is considered appropriate for Council to continue to fund
ongoing signage compliance beyond the current 4 year program through general revenue, and
not an annual licence fee.
This program has proven successful in bringing signage into compliance and it is proposed the
compliance program and full time officer position continue.
In summary, in response to the high number of issues and concerns raised through submissions
and engagement with the Business Association, it is recommended the annual licence renewal
fee be removed from the draft local law. As a result, existing businesses with existing signage will
not require an approval or be charged any ongoing licence fees.
Only existing or new businesses proposing a new pole, pylon, freestanding and illuminated signs
will require a one off approval and application fee.
Recommendation
It is recommended the draft local law be amended to:
    reduce the number of new signs requiring approval to now only include those with the
      highest streetscape impact, structural or safety requirements being pole, pylon,
      freestanding and all illuminated signs, with a one-off application fee. Note: This only applies
      to new signs and is not retrospective, so existing business with existing signage are
      exempt from needing an approval;
    remove any requirement for an annual approval licence or ongoing annual renewal fees for
      signage;
    allow window and wall signs self-assessable against criteria, no approval required.
vi.   A-frame sandwich boards
A significant number of submissions were received in objection to the prohibition of A-frames
signs, primarily from business owners. Submitters stated A-frames are needed to promote
businesses located upstairs or in arcades at the street level and daily specials and prohibition
would impact business revenue.
Supporters were concerned with the impact on visual amenity of Noosa, clutter and safety issues
on footpaths, in public areas and impacts along Noosa River.
Response to A-Frame sandwich boards
A-frame sandwich boards are temporary signs which have been identified as causing the most
significant visual clutter in the streetscape and raise the most compliance issues and complaints.
In addition, A -frames are largely located on public land within the footpath and create safety and
public liability issues. These signs have significantly increased in number with many businesses
having more than one sign per tenancy. A-frames are a significant issue along Noosa River with
tenancies placing up to 5 A-frames on public land.
It should be also noted that A –frames are not calculated in the maximum 10sqm of signage
allowed per tenancy, so are currently an “additional” allowance.
The prohibition of A-frames was aimed at reducing signage clutter, improving pedestrian safety
and accessibility and improving visual amenity particularly along Noosa River. Whilst the
reduction of signage clutter is still desirable, in response to the number of objections received, a
considered approach could be to allow 1 A-frame per tenancy on private land only. The removal
of A-frames from public land will reduce the public liability concerns and partially contribute to the
reduction of signage clutter throughout Noosa.
Ongoing compliance monitoring will be required to maintain this approach, particularly the limit of
1 per tenancy and placement on private land only. Where there is no capacity to locate the A
Frame on private land, they will not be permitted.


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