2016-02-02 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                           2 FEBRUARY 2016


While much of the non-compliant signage shown in the photos above has now been
addressed by the business operators, excessive signage continues to be erected by some
businesses. This creep of excessive signage is likely to be an ongoing problem and where
left unchecked is likely to significantly impact on the character and feel of Noosa’s towns and
villages over time.

2.    Current Advertising Device Requirements
Advertising devices or signage is currently managed by The Noosa Plan and the Local
Laws, with signage primarily managed via the planning scheme’s Advertising Devices Code.
The Noosa Plan’s Advertising Device Code includes requirements for all signage on private
and public property that is not of a temporary nature such as pylon signs, roof signs, below
awning signs, window signs, signs on sports fields etc. Where signage complies with the
acceptable solutions of the Advertising Devices Code the sign is self-assessable and may be
erected with a development application to Council. An application for a Development Permit
for Operational Work is otherwise required to be lodged with Council where a sign does not
comply with the acceptable solutions of the Code.
The Local Law manages advertising devices not regulated by the planning scheme including
signage on road reserves or of a temporary nature such as A-Frames, Event Direction, Real
Estate and Garage Sale signs. Under the Local Law these types of signs do not require an
application to be lodged with Council provided the signs comply with identified criteria (i.e.
such as size, location, maximum number of size etc.).

3.    Options for Regulating Advertising Devices
There are number of options for Council to regulate advertising devices into the future and
the following have been developed for consideration by Council. Officers will develop these
options further for consideration as part of the 2016/17 budget process.
Option 1: Do Nothing
Council officers could continue to regulate signage under the current Noosa Plan and Local
Law requirements addressing non-compliant signage on ad-hoc basis and as signage
complaints are received. However, this is likely to lead to a creep of excessive signage over
time.
Option 2. Educate, Audit & Compliance
 Provide educational material on signage requirements to support businesses achieving
   compliance with the signage requirements. This could include the development of an
   information sheet for businesses and improved information on Council’s website.
   Information could also be tailored to address representative organisations such as the
   Chamber of Commerce and particular groups such real estate agents and car yards.
   Distributing information sheets to local sign writers may also be useful in communicating
   the signage requirements and reduce the extent of non-compliant signage erected.
 Undertake an audit of all advertising devices to develop a database of all existing
   advertising devices in the Shire; identifying compliant and non-compliant signage and
   assist in ongoing monitoring of signage in the future. This audit is likely to provide useful
   background data for future planning purposes, including the development of the next
   planning scheme for Noosa Shire and review of current Local Laws, and in determining
   the effectiveness of the current signage requirements.
 Provide follow-up information and advice to operators where breaches of the signage
   requirements are identified by the audit. This would take the form of a letter providing
   information on the signage requirements, identification of the non-compliant signage and
   options on how to address the breach of the signage requirements.



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