Council halts new billboards across city ahead of inquiry

Applications for new billboards will be put on ice after a huge backlash at the secret approval of two giant LED signs on one of Brisbane’s most graceful retail strips.

Paddington residents protest on Wednesdaymorning at the site of a new giant electronic billboard, which they feel is out of character with the area. Picture: AAP/Sarah Marshall

NEW billboard applications across Brisbane will be halted while Council holds an inquiry into a huge sign which went up on one of the city’s most beautiful retail strips this week.

But Paddington residents called for the 14m-wide LED billboard on Latrobe Tce to be pulled down and said the announcement was an attempt to shift blame from the local councillor, Peter Matic.

Opponents also queried how Cr Matic could claim not to have known about the billboard, less than 200m from his office, after his election signs were erected on the landowner’s property.

The developments came as 30-50 protesters gathered at the site this morning.

Cr Matic also confirmed another billboard had been approved on May 2, also without his knowledge, at the laundromat on the corner of Given and Latrobe terraces.

Greens candidate for the local state seat, Katinka Winston-Allom, said the fight was not over.

“If Cr Matic acknowledges that community consultation processes are inadequate for all private billboard developments, then by that logic the current billboards in Paddington should and must be removed,’’ she said.

Paddington residents protest at the site. Picture: AAP/Sarah Marshall

“For too long, private property developers have ignored the local communities’ wishes regarding retaining the character of precincts, as well as genuine concerns about pedestrian safety.

“But up and until this point, these developers could seek these billboard approvals without a shred of local community consultation or control.

“Councillor Matic has admitted he knew the local community would oppose this (14m LED) billboard.

“Yet, somehow, the billboard was approved just after his re-election in March.

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“Cr Matic maintains ignorance of the application even when the billboard site was the very same site that hosted his election signage during the local government elections.

“It’s a pretty far stretch to suggest that there was zero mention of this enormous billboard application and its approval — by either the property owner or the Council — since the developer and Cr Matic’s conversation in 2019.’’

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Cr Matic admitted he was approached by the proponent about the billboard last year, but advised it would not meet expectations of the community.

Resident Jesse Taylor said it was not enough to only hold an inquiry, the council instead needed to compensate the proponent for the billboard’s removal.

“Residents and business have been calling for years for theming and beautification of Given and Latrobe terraces to celebrate their unique character, but instead we get mega billboards,’’ Mr Taylor said.

Latrobe Tce is covered by a development control plan introduced by former Lord Mayor Jim Soorley to protect its unique Queenslander architecture.

Greens candidate for Cooper Katinka Winston-Allom protests with residents at this morning’s protest. Picture: AAP/Sarah Marshall

Cr Matic said State Government rules meant public consultation was not required for billboards, however a Treasury spokesman said the Latrobe Tce sign was approved by Council under one of its local laws.

Council’s website states that it is responsible for permitting and regulating outdoor advertising signs in Brisbane, under the Advertisements Local Law 2013 and Advertisements Subordinate Local Law 2005.

The local law appears to specifically prohibit billboards such as the one on Latrobe Tce, as they must not “block or compromise views which would be regarded by the majority of people as of high quality, which may be characterised by elements of landscape or townscape or both’’.

The local law also says the “size, location and medium of the advertisement must be in keeping with the character of the local environment’’.

Cr Matic confirmed all current applications for LED billboards on private property were on hold until the review is undertaken.

Councillor Peter Matic at the Paddington site, with the billboard. Residents want it removed.

“LED billboards need to be in appropriate locations and they certainly don’t belong in character shopping areas surrounded by character homes, like Paddington,” Cr Matic said.

“I know advertising methods have evolved. We are seeing more of these LED billboards pop up in cities across Australia, and council policy processes need to keep pace with these trends.

“The current process is not good enough. It’s time for an overhaul and make them subject to more stringent assessment and a full consultation processes.

“I wasn’t meaningfully consulted, the community wasn’t consulted and there needs to be checks and balances.

“I want everything on the table, full scrutiny of applications and the opportunity for the public to have their say.’’

Cr Matic said he was angry that another LED billboard had been approved for the laundromat at the corner of Given Terrace and Latrobe Terrace without his knowledge or feedback.

A change.org petition started by resident Rowan Edmondson late last week already has attracted nearly 400 signatures.

Former Tourism Minister and local Labor MP, Kate Jones, has also denounced the billboard and queried how Cr Matic was unaware of it. Her office has also started a petition.

Ms Winston-Allom said Cr Matic had many opportunities to become aware of the proposal.

“This billboard application has been an ongoing matter with Council: the original application by the property developer, followed by Council’s assessment and request for its reduction in size, followed by the property developer’s resubmission to Council, followed by Council’s recent approval,’’ she said.

“Cr Matic’s ignorance of this issue seems even more unlikely due to the billboard’s location being 200m down the road from his office.

“You can’t hoodwink the local Paddington community and expect to get away with it.’’