Locals come out to defend Beaconsfield Sally’s Big Ass burger sign
LOCALS have come out in force to defend the Sally’s Big Ass Burger sign in the heart of Beaconsfield Upper, after VicRoads last week labelled it offensive.
South East
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LOCALS have come out in force to defend the Sally’s Big Ass Burger sign in the heart of Beaconsfield Upper, after VicRoads last week labelled it offensive.
VicRoads had ordered Tradies and Ladies Cafe owner Sally to remove her colourful sign because there had been complaints, and it was illegally placed and a distraction to drivers.
She was told failure to comply would see her slapped with a $1443 fine, plus removal costs.
A media frenzy followed, with the salty sign featuring on Triple M’s Hot Breakfast, Neil Mitchell’s 3AW show, Channel 7’s Sunrise and Star FM.
Hot Breakfast boys Mick Molloy and Luke Darcy even gallantly offered to also chain themselves to the sign for the cause.
VicRoads stood its ground, ordering Sally to move the sign off the roadside and onto private property, and to apply for a Cardinia Shire permit.
Sally told Leader she had no intention of moving her sign.
“It’s actually getting beyond a joke,” she said.
“As long as my ass is facing the ground, the sign isn’t going anywhere.”
And the Shire’s development and compliance manager Brett Jackson said they would not ask Sally to apply for a permit.
“Council received one complaint in 2012, which was investigated and determined (the land) to be outside our jurisdiction,” Mr Jackson said.
“Council has not requested the sign be removed … and has not requested that the owner obtain a permit from Council in relation to this sign.”
VicRoads did not answer Leader’s questions about the number of complaints that had been received or when the sign would be removed.
VicRoads metro southeast regional director Adam Maguire said VicRoads was obliged to investigate all complaints relating to advertising signs, “irrespective of the number of inquiries and type of advertising sign”.
“The owner of the advertising sign has been requested to remove it. VicRoads is aiming to resolve this matter at the least cost to the owner,” Mr Maguire said.
Regardless of the outcome, Sally said she had been astounded by the community support, which has more than doubled her Facebook following — and burger orders.
“I’m just enjoying all the exposure I’m getting because you couldn’t pay for what’s going on right now,” Sally said.
“All of a sudden everyone knows about Sally’s Big Ass Burger — that’s pretty cool!”
The avid Hawthorn supporter hopes to share her good fortune with the community, auctioning off personalised Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin numberplates, and donate the proceeds to the Upper Beaconsfield CFA.