Council cracks down on Election posters
Wingecarribee Shire Council is reminding people erecting posters and advertising for candidates in this month’s State Election of their responsibilities in the lead up to the March 28 poll.
Wingecarribee Shire Council Senior Ranger Troy McGlynn said strict rules governed the distribution and display of electoral material.
“The Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act of 1912 clearly stipulates what, where and when advertising material can be displayed,” he said.
“In short, candidates or their volunteers cannot display any material including posters on land or structures which are owned by another local authority,” Mr McGlynn said. “What this means is that election posters should not be placed on any council land, electricity or light poles.”
“Nor should they be placed on unoccupied houses unless prior consent from the owner is given.”
“Likewise, anyone found defacing signs or posters can face criminal prosecution if caught,” he said.
“Here in the Southern Highlands we pride ourselves on having minimal signage displayed across our Shire,” Mr McGlynn added.
“Apart from being unsightly, we’d much prefer motorists concentrate on the road ahead of them than be distracted by roadside posters.”
Mr McGlynn said the rules also applied to and after the Election Day.
“We also ask that posters are securely fixed and not simply stuck up with flimsy tape that could blow off in the wind and inevitably end up as litter on the ground or in our water ways,” he said.
Following the State Government Election all signs and posters must be removed within seven days.
“After the polling day we’d love to see the volunteers pick up their posters and signs as soon as possible,” Mr McGlynn added.
“We ask volunteers erecting signs for their candidates to play by the rules and please use common sense before affixing them.”