Council blast for ‘ugly’ signs

Cardinia Shire councillor Brett Owen has no problem with appropriate signage relating to development along the Pakenham Bypass, but says there has to be some restriction. 26461Cardinia Shire councillor Brett Owen has no problem with appropriate signage relating to development along the Pakenham Bypass, but says there has to be some restriction. 26461

UGLY advertising plastered on shipping containers along the Pakenham Bypass has renewed calls for the Cardinia Shire to get serious about eradicating inappropriate signage.
Councillor Brett Owen says advertising on the large containers is unacceptable and wants more restrictions on advertising put in place.
“Right across the shire we have a problem with signage,” he said
“We’re seeing issues with shipping containers placed on the verge of the Pakenham Bypass with signage and I think that’s inappropriate.
“There’s just signage all over the place, what concerns me is advertising that doesn’t relate to the site.”
The advertising signage policy would affect recreational reserves, industrial and shopping areas.
Cr Owen said the policy also needed to be amended to include election signage and mobile billboards.
The council drafted a signage policy in late 2007 but it is yet to be formally adopted.
The Pakenham Business Group (PBG) has backed Cr Owen’s call to get the council moving on the policy.
PBG vice-president Michael Porter said businesses in Cardinia had too much freedom when it came to promoting their products.
“They certainly have to have some kind of policy you can’t go willy-nilly and make signs as big as you want,” he said.
Mr Porter said the council also seemed to be stricter on signage in Pakenham’s Main Street than at factories in the area.
PBG president Sue Day said it was important that the council was consistent in its approach towards advertising.
“We would like to see a cohesive approach to signage,” she said.
The policy aims to control the amount of signage being displayed in the shire and to ensure signage is compatible with existing buildings and the natural landscape.
The previous council called for the policy to be adopted more than a year ago amid concerns about illegal signage in the shire, particularly large signs on trailers parked on the side of the road without the council’s permission.
The advertising sign policy has not progressed due to a State Government review of advertising sign provisions that would impact on the policy.
Cr Owen was happy the council’s policy would be updated and urged those affected to comment on it.
“I’m really pleased that this is once again going out for public consultation,” he said.
“It’s a consistent policy that is clear on what you can do in relation to signage in Cardinia.”

– Melissa Grant