Woollahra community rallies in protest against planned bus ad shelters

Plans to plonk almost 40 bus shelter ads in Sydney’s affluent east have sparked a “monumental battle” with some neighbours even chaining themselves to their fence in protest of the “eyesores”.

A revenue deal to plant almost 40 bus shelters advertisements in one of Sydney’s most affluent suburbs has turned into a “monumental battle”, with residents “up in arms” over the “huge, ugly bus shelters”.

In a now year-long saga, vocal locals in the Woollahra area claim the advertising campaign will “mutilate” their picturesque community.

Last March, Woollahra Council signed the contract with advertising giant Ooh! Media to install 39 bus shelter advertisements throughout the LGA at no cost.

The plans are so contentious, neighbours in one street were prompted to chain themselves to the front of a property in an overnight protest.

Leading the revolt was Deanna Mastellone, whose Rose Bay home was slated to receive one such “monstrosity” in her front garden.

For many locals, bus shelters with advertising are like looking at the back end of a bus.

After significant back-and-forth Ms Mastellone emailed Woollahra Council advising it of her planned protest ahead of the scheduled works.

“I wish to inform council I will be chaining myself to the fence as this installation is not happening,” Ms Mastellone wrote, ready with a chain, padlock and five allied neighbours, camped outside her house for several hours on the night works were set to begin.

The demonstration proved successful at warding off contractors in the short term, with Ms Mastellone saying “of course no one turned up to do any work, they don’t want all this drama”.

“Over my dead body this was going to happen, my beautiful garden was never going to be removed and replaced with an advertising screen purely for revenue,” she said.

In solo efforts Ms Mastellone also took to spray painting the street outside her home, and plastered her suburb with posters to spread the word.

Another sticking point for residents was a lack of consultation, which was described in a Change.org petition as “neither reasonable or respectful”.

Deanna Mastellone (left) and a neighbour at their overnight protest.

Fellow neighbours take part.

Frustrated locals said they were left scratching their heads at the spray painted markings which started popping up on footpaths throughout the area.

Under state legislation, the council was exempt from lodging a formal notification for the plans, as is required for most development applications.

Instead notices were placed only at locations in the firing line, with residents given a fortnight to provide feedback before construction.

Residents have had to avoid the bus shelter and walk on the road at one Rose Bay location.

Tensions took hold in June, when the first shelter was installed on the notoriously busy New South Head Rd, directly out front of Rose Bay salon Star Nails.

Salon owner Ming Truong, said as well as being bad for business, the shelter was “a danger to the public”, stating three car accidents had occurred since its arrival six months ago, while pedestrians were being forced onto the road.

Mr Truong explained motorists turning right from Caledonian Rd could not see oncoming traffic because the shelter “blocks everything”.

The painted markers ahead of installation which began appearing throughout Woollahra.

Other objections sent to the council and seen by this masthead all echoed resounding concerns the area’s “village-like atmosphere” would be “mutilated” by “monstrous” and “unnecessary eyesores”.

One letter complained the result would be “a significant aesthetic downgrade” for the suburb, while other concerns cited an increase in blind spots and decreased footpath space and parking.

The first shelter was built outside Star Nails at Rose Bay.

The NSW Ombudsman is now investigating a complaint lodged about the matter.

A spokesman for Woollahra Council said residents’ concerns were being recognised and further assessment had since been undertaken.

“Based on concerns raised through this process, further site assessments have been conducted and modifications are under consideration,” the spokesman said.

“Each site was assessed to ensure shelters are placed appropriately, and notifications issued to nearby residents and businesses, providing opportunity for feedback prior to the commencement of installation works.”

Ooh! Media declined to comment.