Election signs: where they can and can’t go

A sea of candidate faces peering out from corflute signs is inevitable at election time but there are rules governing where they can go. According to some, the rules might need clearing up.

Candidate signs must be placed in accordance with both State and local council regulations.

It’s that time again when it seems election candidate signs are being tossed around like confetti.

Wherever you look you find one.

But there are rules about where they can be put, who has to give permission and what to do if you’re not happy.

Both Council and State Government regulations apply.

Greens candidate Emerald Moon said people had certainly contacted her after being “surprised to find elections signs erected outside their house in the past week”.

Ms Moon said “if the signs are on private land - as the families I’ve spoken with contend - then they have also been placed illegally, as the owners’ permission was not obtained first”.

“It is important that local residents know their rights when it comes to hosting election signs,” she said.

“It is particularly important that elected representatives honestly and transparently follow and communicate existing regulations.”

“It’s totally up to you whose sign you want to display, if any.”

“If the signs have been placed due to a genuine misunderstanding of the rules, this is an opportunity for all candidates to do the right thing this election.”

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Some signs across the city have already fallen over.

Bowman MP (LNP) Andrew Laming said he expected to put around 300 signs on private land with owner permission.

He confirmed he would be using “every legal campaign strategy” available in the coming weeks, including using “human billboards”.

Ms Moon said the Greens had about “70 signs to go up right now but that number could increase”.

“Every resident should have the opportunity to express their support for a candidate by putting a sign on their fence or in their yard,” she said.

“I don’t have a personal position about putting signs on public land, but I think the personal endorsement that comes with a sign on private land - IF it has been requested - is powerful.”

She said her team expected to be out in the electorate with both A-frame and corflute signs between now and the election.

ALP candidate Dr Tom Baster said “our campaign signage will abide with all Redland City Council by-laws with regards to election signage”.

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During an election period elections

Providing the principles of public safety, visual amenity, proper use and enjoyment of land and publicly owned land are respected, election signs during an election period will:

• not be unreasonably restricted in the number or size of signs able to be displayed, noting the building approval requirements listed below
• not be restricted to the candidate’s division or electorate
• not be restricted in election sign content, providing the content reasonably relates to the candidate.
• Election signs can’t be located on road reserve or Council land, either outside or during an election period.
• However, candidates can have signs associated with information booths on road sides or parks, providing the booths are manned and do not create a traffic or pedestrian hazard,

  no more than four (4) signs are located within six (6) metres of the booth. These booths are not permitted on median strips or roundabouts, or within proximity to intersections.

  Source: Redland City Council.