We regulate the display of election signage under Local Law No. 9 (Licensing) 1999 and Subordinate Local Law 9.2 (Election Signs) 1999 to uphold the safety, amenity and environment of the city.

An election sign is a device which publicises a matter relating to an election.

A device means:

• a design
• writing
• drawing
• depiction
• structure
• erection
• placard
• banner
• notice
• signboard
• notice of sign
• publication, or
• sign of any kind.

An election sign may only be exhibited in line with our local laws.

Criteria for election signs

To be lawfully exhibited, an election sign must comply with the following requirements contained in the local law:

• it must be kept in good order and repair
• it must not be exhibited on Council property
• it must not be exhibited so as to constitute a risk to public safety, road safety or obstruct the use of a road
• it must have a surface area not exceeding 1.1 square metres, unless the election sign is displayed on an approved advertisement.

Election signs on Council property

The local law does not permit election signs to be placed on Council property.

Council officers can remove immediately any election sign that is placed on any Council property or a Council asset. 

Council assets means:

• a fixture
• chattel
• material
• plant
• animal
• thing, or
• or other tangible property of which the local government is the owner or occupier (e.g. a fence, council signs and playground equipment owned by Council).

Council property means:

• trust land
• a reserve, or
• premises of which the local government is the owner or occupier (e.g. land, a building, a park or a depot owned by Council).

Election signs on private property

Election signs can be placed on private property. However, Council can take action in circumstances where does not comply with the criteria for election signs (as stated above).

Consent for the exhibition of an election sign on private property is a matter between the candidate and/or the property owner.

Election signs on roads (including road reserves)

Election signs can be placed in road related areas. However, Council officers can remove any election sign on a road that does not comply with the criteria for election signs (as stated above).

Below are some examples within the local law where an election sign exhibited may constitute a risk to public safety, road safety or obstruct the use of a road.

Election signs may constitute a risk where they are:

• exhibited on street furniture, power pole, light pole, guard rail, traffic sign, road sign, parking sign, machinery, tree, plant or landscaped area
• exhibited unsecured or unattended on the carriageway of a road
• exhibited so that it obstructs, or is likely to obstruct pedestrian or bicycle movement on a paved footpath, walkway, bikeway or nature strip
• positioned in a way that obstructs or hinders access to private premises when exiting a road, or obstructs or hinders access to a road when exiting private premises
• positioned in a way that does not provide clear sight lines for drivers of vehicles or pedestrians at road junctions, vehicle access ways or pedestrian crossings
• exhibited in a way that creates a traffic problem or increases an existing traffic problem
• not weighted, anchored or affixed so as to ensure stability and avoid falling or blowing into the path of a pedestrian or vehicular traffic
• exhibited on a traffic island, median strip or the centre of a roundabout
• exhibited at a bus stop or in a school zone in a way that interferes with passengers entering or exiting a bus or another vehicle
• exhibited in a way that obstructs a pedestrian crossing or a school crossing
• rotating, audible, illuminated, or incorporates reflective or fluorescent materials and is likely to cause a distraction to a driver
• exhibited within an intersection controlled by traffic lights or within the intersections with one or more major roads
• exhibited in a way that results in an accumulation of election signs in close proximity to an official traffic sign which is likely to hinder or obstruct a driver from seeing, reading or understanding the official traffic sign
• for rural areas where the speed limit is 80 kilometres per hour or less exhibited less than 3.5 metres from the edge of the nearest traffic lane
• for rural areas where the speed limit is greater than 80 kilometres per hour exhibited less than 6 metres from the edge of the nearest traffic lane

We do not regulate election signs on vehicles parked on roads. However, a vehicle exhibiting an election sign on a road must be parked in line with the requirements of the Queensland Road Rules.

Time limit on exhibit of election signs

Candidates must only exhibit election signs without a license:

For exhibit of election signs outside of this period, a license is required. To find more information , see Advertising signs.

Enforcement

We request that all candidates and individuals involved in exhibiting election signs comply with local laws for the benefit of the community. Non-compliance could lead to the removal of signs, a compliance notice or an infringement notice.

Ensuring these laws are observed during election periods will help to uphold city safety and amenity during election periods.