2016-02-02 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                         2 FEBRUARY 2016


The Noosa Plan’s Advertising Devices Code seeks that:
   Advertising devices complement and do not detract from the desirable characteristics
     of the natural and built environment in which the advertising devices are exhibited;
   Advertising devices are designed and integrated so as to minimise visual clutter;
   Advertising devices do not detract from the visual amenity of the major road network
     nor from the rural or residential amenity enjoyed by residents of and visitors to Noosa;
     and
   Advertising devices are safety constructed and secured and do not create a hazard.
This means neon lights, bunting, blind signs, moving signs, flashings signs, roof signs,
3-dimensional signs, signs with a sign face area exceeding 4m2 and any combination of
signs on one premise of more than 10m2 are generally not consistent with these outcomes
sought by The Noosa Plan. Similarly, real estate signage and A-frame signage is also limited
in size, placement and numbers by the Local Law.

Currently, one staff member undertakes some auditing of new advertising devices erected in
the Shire, although this is largely on an ad hoc basis, with no systematic checks being
undertaken. Any complaints received by Council are also addressed and since 2010
approximately 300 complaints have been received in relation to signage. Signage complaints
are mostly received from similar type businesses raising issue with the quantity of a
competitor’s sign and whether it is complying with the Noosa Plan and/or Local Law. Often
when auditing a new sign or addressing a complaint received, it is evident that some
business operators are unaware of the signage requirements and act on the basis of the
amount of signage erected by their neighbours or competitors in the area. However, some
businesses seek to attract business by erecting larger or a greater amount of signage,
creating an unfair advantage between businesses.

Since 1 January 2014 some excessive signage has been addressed but there is still a
significant amount of signage that is non-compliant, and in some areas the signage is
starting to dominate the streetscape. The photos below taken mid 2014 indicate how
signage can proliferate over the years if left unchecked.




Photo.1 A large amount of A frames, kites, 3 dimensional and pylon signs being used.


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