Hornsby Council moves for government support on colour ban

Hornsby Council is calling on the State Government to support a ban on vibrant colours on commercial buildings despite residents and business owners being split over the issue.

Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock has called for a colour ban to be supported by the NSW Government. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

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Hornsby Council is calling on the State Government to support a ban on vibrant colours on commercial buildings despite residents and business owners being split over the issue.

In March last year, Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock proposed the ban on glaringly bright colour palettes which clashed with the rest of their neighbourhood and were not sympathetic to their surroundings.

A birds-eye view of Hornsby’s westside — which could see the introduction of a commercial colour ban.

Cr Ruddock said he was concerned about the use of “garish colours”.

The council has since conducted community consultation of residents and business owners. A total of 294 community members responded to the survey, with 46.94 per cent in favour of a council-approved list of colours, while 47.28 per cent objected to the idea. A total of 5.8 per cent of respondents were unsure.

A Hornsby Council spokesman confirmed a letter had been sent to Planning Minister Anthony Roberts, calling for his support.

“No specific colours have been identified, the business paper simply referred to ‘bright or fluorescent colours’,” the spokesman told the Advocate.

Community members in favour of the idea said the council should impose the ban on businesses in the Hornsby CDB, Pennant Hills, Beecroft, Thornleigh, Asquith and Waitara.

PREFFERED LOCATIONS FOR COLOUR BAN

One objector said the council should make contact with business owners directly “if they find a building colour scheme offensive” while another said business owners should be able to paint their business any colour they wanted.

A council report revealed Cr Ruddock had raised the issue with Mr Roberts during a meeting on overdevelopment.

“It is understood that the minister indicated his willingness to consider a submission from council on the issue,” the report said.