2019-12-16 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                 16 DECEMBER 2019


Response:
The draft local law is intended to be specific and clear on the sign types that are and aren’t
acceptable in Noosa Shire. If the sign type is not defined, it is prohibited and there is no avenue
for an application to be made. Notwithstanding this, if in a future review process a new sign type
is considered appropriate for Noosa Shire, the draft local law can be amended as part of a review
process. It is not considered that this should occur via a one off and potentially isolated
application process.
Recommendation
No change to the draft local law in response to this issue.
General explanations to questions and other matters raised in submissions:
Existing lawful signage
Existing permanent signs that have an approval or comply with current self-assessable
provisions continue to be lawful under the draft local law. New requirements for temporary signs
will take effect on the day of commencement of the new local law, including new requirements for
real estate directional signs, tear drop flags and sandwich board /A-Frame signs in particular.
Number of signs
A range of sign types can be displayed on a tenancy within the total maximum sign allowance of
10sqm (on a sliding scale of 0.75sqm per linear metre of the building on the street front boundary
of the tenancy).
However, each sign type may be limited in number on the tenancy. Eg. Only one under awning
sign per tenancy and one A-Frame per tenancy is permitted. Other signs like fence signs are not
limited in number per tenancy.
Sign face area definition
The proposed sign face area definition states wall decorations, colours and finishes, wall colour,
window decals, wayfinding, fuel safety, warnings, decorative lines, architectural painting of
building eg. Stripes on boathouse, are excluded from the calculation of sign face area.
Buildings along Noosa River are determined to have a street frontage to Gympie Terrace for the
purpose of measuring sign size relative to building frontage, using the sliding scale.
Precinct approach
Council resolved at its meeting on 17 October 2019 to consider signage as part of a future place
making program to determine whether local characteristics warrant a local response to signage.
Consultation with stakeholders will occur at the time. Council proposes to initiate a pilot program
for Place making in 2020.
Illuminated signs
Any sign type that is illuminated by lighting, including light box illumination or lights directed at the
sign, is regarded as an illuminated sign and only one per tenancy is permitted. Down lights or
other building lighting is not regarded as an illuminated sign, even if the advertising sign is in part
lit up by light spray.
Neon signs
There has been an historic long standing prohibition of neon lighting in Noosa which has followed
through into the draft local law. The style and effect of neon signage is generally bright with a
coloured glare and representative of “big city” signage, and therefore not consistent with the
character and low key signage policy of Noosa.
Garage signs
The draft local law states that garage signs cannot be attached to any road infrastructure, which
would include guide posts.

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