By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council officers have inspected 127 properties for illegal signage, related to the municipal election, since the start of this month.
A council spokesperson said: “No infringement notices have so far been issued, however council officers have inspected a total of 127 property sites as a result of both complaints received and proactive patrols focusing on electoral signs.”
The spokesperson said that 102 of the sites have been found to be compliant with local laws and 25 have been deemed non-compliant.
“Planning investigations officers are contacting those candidates involved and, in the first instance, will be issuing notices to comply,” the spokesperson said.
If an election candidate fails to comply with a notice, they may face fines of up to $826 per sign.
Wyndham council prohibits the display or placement of any electoral signage in public places, including land, roads and reserves, which it owns or occupies.
“This is to prevent problems associated with the proliferation of electoral signage during federal, state or council elections,” the spokesperson said.
“Signage proliferation has an undesirable effect on the visual amenity of the municipality, as well as posing several safety liability concerns through inappropriate or ill-affixed signs and banners.
“Obstruction to driver and pedestrian vision and the possibility of signs becoming airborne are of great concern to council.”
The spokesperson said a copy of the council’s Election Signage Protocol was provided to all election candidates, who registered for the municipal elections.
