Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock seeks to impose colour ban on local businesses

HORNSBY Mayor Philip Ruddock has proposed a ban on vibrant colour palettes used for businesses across the shire after revealing his distaste for hues used on a commercial buildings at Pennant Hills.

Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

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HORNSBY Mayor Philip Ruddock has proposed a ban on vibrant colour palettes used for businesses across the shire after revealing his distaste for hues used on a commercial buildings at Pennant Hills.

Cr Ruddock proposed that the council write to the NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts to seek an amendment to restrict colour palettes used in the shire’s commercial centres.

A Hornsby Council spokesman said the mayor’s main concern was businesses that painted their buildings in garish colours, which clash with the rest of their neighbourhood and not sympathetic to their surroundings.

“It would not be a blanket ban — businesses would still have the right to choose the colour of their building but it would no longer be open slather,” the spokesman said.

The spokesman said if the Planning Minister amended the state’s environmental planning policy, the council would then introduce its own colour palettes.

Greens Councillor Emma Heyde. Pic: AAP Image/Sue Graham

Greens councillor Emma Heyde supported the ban’s investigation.

“A few businesses try to impose themselves on the community at the expense of others by painting entire buildings in shockingly bright corporate colours,” Cr Heyde said.

“When others make an effort to make sure shopfronts and houses fit into the landscape, it’s disappointing to see lurid, splashy paintwork covering an entire building.

“People feel proud of their villages and town centres; it’s appropriate that council support them by asking the minister to help us preserve the look of our local shopping areas.”

Hornsby councillor Michael Hutchence said the ban could worsen relationships with businesses.

But councillor Michael Hutchence slammed the plan.

“If this blanket ban was to go ahead, we would be going in the direction of more regulation and more red tape for businesses,” Cr Hutchence said. “I see this as council being overly dictatorial to business over something which is very subjective in the first place.

“It will limit the use of corporate colours and branding and actively discourage business from setting up shop in our shire.”

Cr Hutchence said he had no problem with a blanket ban on heritage buildings, “however for it to apply across all our corporate centres and business zones is a step too far”.

“Our local state member (Matt Kean) is the minister for better regulation and has said on many occasions that government should look to reduce red tape, complexity and barriers and not increase them.

“I fear this along with other recent discussions and decisions is sending a message to the business community that we are not open to business and that if you wish to set up shop in Hornsby Shire you will need to be prepared for a long, drawn-out and complex process.”