Transport NSW reveal meaning behind Albury-Wodonga ‘goat’ sign

It’s the electronic goat sign that everyone is talking about in Albury-Wodonga. But what does it mean?

Albury-Wodonga residents were baffled over an electronic sign on the Hume Hwy that appeared to be a goat.

Transport NSW has confirmed a sign first thought to be a warning for goats crossing the road was only a “communication error”.

The electronic sign on the Hume Hwy in Albury-Wodonga had been used to remind motorists of Covid restrictions but a technical glitch stopped the correct display — stay Covid safe — from appearing.

A Transport NSW spokeswoman said the goat appeared randomly and was built into the VMS board.

“The VMS boards were redeployed on roads near the Victorian border due to the latest outbreaks,” she said.

“They display general Covid messaging, and in this case should have said ‘Stay COVID safe’.

“The goat image is one of the icons that is built into the VMS board system which appeared as an error.

The spokeswoman said the goat image didn’t have any particular meaning.

“This particular image was not displayed by Transport for NSW and is one of many random images pre-built into the machines, which are owned by a sub-contractor.
“In this case, the error was transmitting the correct Transport for NSW COVID safe messaging to this particular VMS.”

Local Bob Haanstra said he thought it was an acronym for Greatest Of All Time.

Judy Mol said she thought it was a warning for “stock on the road ahead”.

“Can’t wait to find out what it means,” she said on Facebook.

“It’s to beware of goats crossing the road,” Rebecca Ford said.

Albury-Wodonga residents were baffled over the sign.

The sign entertained thousands of residents before Transport NSW fixed the error about noon on Thursday.

“My kids thought it was great!” Megan Hargreaves said.

“Yes, a little puzzled, but did smile,” Alison Norris said.