A Logan City Councillor says candidates have “gone mad” with signage this election

THE number of candidate election signs in one local government area in southeast Queensland has been described as ­“obscene” by one of the city’s councillors. What do you think?

‘Obscene’ amount of election signs

THE number of candidate election signs around Logan has been described as ­“obscene” by one of the city’s councillors.

Last week, the issue of election signs and where they could be placed was discussed at length at Logan City Councils’ Animals and City Standards Committee meeting.

Committee chairman Cr Graham Able said council rules covering election signs had changed to allow a lot more freedom.

He said he did not agree with the new rules, but it did allow candidates to have as many signs as they liked.

“I think it’s madness to have signs out before nominations are closed,” he said.

“It’s uncivilised with the amount of signs at the moment.

“It’s obscene. One corner has up to 15-20 signs. It’s an embarrassment.”

Cr Able said candidates had gone mad with signs this election.

“This is the worst I’ve ever seen it,” he said.

“I hope the next council will review the local law and bring in some ­common sense.

“The most signs (candidates could have before) were 50 per division. Now you could put out 50,000 if you wanted to.”

Mayoral candidate Brett Raguse said if he was elected mayor he would limit the time for signs to six weeks before an election.

“(At the moment) it’s open slather,” he said.

Cr Lisa Bradley (Div 1), who has 50 signs out, said some candidates were being excessive.

“And I think it will back fire on them,” she said.

“If the election comes down to signs, that’s a bit sad. I’d rather hear about the issues.”

Cr Bradley said there were very few election signs in Brisbane compared to Logan.

■ Two candidates with more than 400 signs each are mayoral contenders – former ALP federal member Brett Raguse and sitting Logan City councillor Luke Smith

■ Cr Smith and Mr Raguse both said they had lost about 100 signs each through theft or damage since erected

■ The third Mayoral candidate Ken Houliston said he had not had any signs stolen as he had no signs out yet.

What’s your view on election signs? Email [e-mail]