2019-10-17 Ordinary Meeting Agenda

ORDINARY MEETING AGENDA                                                              17 OCTOBER 2019


The recommendation in the report to Committee aimed to find a balance between allowing A-frames
on private land, while still reducing some signage clutter and importantly reducing the public liability
risk Council is exposed to when A-frames are placed on footpaths and public land.

As outlined above, the clarification of the tenancy definition would confirm that one (1) A-frame sign
would only be permitted for each tenancy/building, regardless of the number of businesses operating
from the tenancy.

Should Council wish to permit one (1) A frame sign per business, and continue to allow the A-frame
to be located on public land, the following alternative wording would be suitable:
“Allow one (1) sandwich board / A –Frame sign with the following criteria:
(i)     a maximum of (1) advertising device per business may be displayed; and
(ii)    the advertising device must be placed on the property to which it refers, or where this is not
        practically possible immediately adjacent to the property; and
(v)     the sign face area of the advertising device must not exceed 900mm x 600mm or 0.54m2 on
        each side of the advertising device; and
(vi)    the advertising device must be structurally sound, stable and not pose a hazard or safety risk
        to the public; and
(vii) a public liability certificate to the value of $20,000,000 must be current.”

It should be noted under this scenario that as A-frames signs would be self-assessable, Council
would be essentially consenting to the placement of A-frame signs on public land and potentially
exposing Council to future liability.

Introducing a permit system as per outdoor dining, whereby the location and placement of the sign
on public land is assessed and specified and public liability insurance is required, may minimise
Council’s exposure however is unlikely to fully eliminate this risk and would create considerable red
tape for businesses. Further legal advice would be required on this matter should Council wish to
implement a permit system and require public liability be provided for A frames.


Tear drop flags

Under the current local law each tenancy may have one (1) tear drop flag, as an alternative to an A-
frame sign, but not both.

Under the draft local law, tear drop signs were proposed to be prohibited. Tear drop flags have
proliferated in Noosa Shire, particularly in the industrial zones resulting in an increase in visual
clutter. The report to the Planning and Environment Committee meeting on 8 October 2019
recommended maintaining the proposed prohibition of tear drop flags.

Should Council wish to permit one (1) tear drop flag per business as an alternative to A-frame signs
(but not both) then the criteria in the proposed local law for tear drop flags is required to be included
to revert to existing the situation under the current local law as below;
“Allow tear drop flags with the following criteria:
(i)     the sign may only be used when the business is open; and
(ii)    a maximum of (1) one sign per tenancy; and
(iii)   the sign must be placed only on the primary street frontage and must not be placed at the rear
        of the property on a secondary road frontage; and



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