Sydney council’s war on ‘unattaractive and useless’ street signs

UGLY and confusing street signs have raised the ire of Sydney residents for decades. Now, a council is taking action.

MOSMAN Council is at war with unnecessary signage — and it is winning convincingly.

Mayor Peter Abelson declared an attack on the abundance of unattractive and useless signs on Mosman streets 18 months ago.

Since then, more than 450 signs have been removed from 45 streets, including 30 from Belmont Rd and 40 from Balmoral car park.

“I believe this is just the beginning of our long battle to restore visual amenity in our streets in the form of so-called ‘legally required signage’,” Cr Abelson said.

“Signs come in a confusing array of sizes and colours and there are too many of them, even in typical suburban streets, which results in an unacceptable street environment.”

Councillor Libby Moline and Mayor Peter Abelson say less signs will make Mosman’s streets look prettier.

Signs to have been given the boot include those emblazoned with Loading Zone, Keep Left, Give Way, Dogs Prohibited and No Standing.

The council has also replaced No Stopping signs with continuous yellow lines. This move is part of a renewed safety campaign reminding drivers an unbroken yellow edge line is equivalent to a No Stopping sign.

This is one tyope of sign that could be given the boot.

Many common street signs have been deemed unecessary.

Director of environment and planning Craig Covich said the attack on pointless signs in Mosman was not showing any signs of slowing in coming months.

“Our street-by-street sign audit will continue this financial year and each sign will be assessed,” Mr Covich said.

“I am happy to authorise further removals unless there is a valid reason for signs to remain.”

Mosman Council’s director of environment and planning Craig Covich with some of the scrapped signs.

The simplified parking sign the Roads and Maritime Services are considering using.

The council is also developing a sign style guide for its own information signs, including those in playgrounds, car parks and reserves, in an attempt to improve consistency and make necessary signage more aesthetically pleasing.

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This is in addition to the council’s push for parking signs to be simplified across the state by adopting a bold “time block” model.

The submission is now with the Roads and Maritime Services for consideration.

Mosman Council has recycled the hundreds of removed signs and, as a result, has donated $536.70 to Neutral Bay’s Taldamunde Youth Services Inc., which provides accommodation and support for homeless youths.

The not-for-profit organisation’s fundraising and promotions officer Katrina Richardson said the donation would make a real difference to those in need.

“It’s wonderful to receive community acknowledgment and support for the valuable work we do with vulnerable and homeless youth,” Ms Richardson said.

“These proceeds will help to provide everyday expenses such as food and clothing for the young people in our care.”

Cr Abelson hand-picked the service to be the recipient of any money made through the recycling of signs.