With just over 4 weeks to go until the NSW Local Government election, candidates and their supporters are reminded they must comply with State and Council regulations when erecting signage.
A total of 44 candidates have registered to contest the Tweed Shire Council election on Saturday 14 September 2024 following finalisation of the ballot sheet by the NSW Electoral Commission yesterday.
The candidates make up 10 grouped tickets, with 7 candidates running on their own as individuals.
All posters and signage containing electoral material must comply with the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 Division 2, Subdivision 13 - Election signs.
Council officers will undertake a program of compliance and monitoring to ensure all posters and signage containing electoral material comply with relevant policies. Residents are urged to report any illegal or dangerous signage to Council at tweed.nsw.gov.au/report-an-illegal-activity.
Any complaints about signs on public property will be sent to the campaign office of the respective candidate, and candidates are reminded of their legal obligations.
As part of these regulations, election signs must be no more than 0.8 square metres in area.
No signs are allowed on Council's road reserves, either free-standing pole signs or those affixed to trees or street furniture. Signage is also not allowed to be displayed on a trailer parked on a road or road-related area.
Election signs can be affixed to private telegraph poles; however, the owner needs to be certain the pole is not owned by an electricity provider as legal action has occurred elsewhere in the State. All signage connected to power poles will be reported to Essential Energy for their attention and action.
Signs can be attached to the walls of houses or commercial buildings if they adhere to size limitations in State regulations and are not attached to heritage or draft heritage items.
Council officers will contact the sign owner if they are not a standard sign or in a dangerous location. The sign owner will then have 48 hours to remove the signage.
Unlawful signage may also be seized in accordance with the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 and fines apply ($660 for an individual and $2,640 for a corporation).
All signage should be removed within one week of the election (by Sunday 22 September 2024) or may be seized by Council and fines applied.
