Early Osborne Ward candidates’ election posters must remain on private property

TWO City of Stirling Osborne ward candidates are already displaying campaign posters but must keep them on private land until nomination day.

Candidates Adam Spagnolo and Frank Paolino will go head to head in the upcoming October election and their signs and posters are lining street corners and shop windows.

In May, former Balcatta MLA Chris Hatton announced he would run for the Osborne ward. He said he would “stick to putting posters up a few weeks before the election” and “not be stupid about it”.

City of Stirling’s thoroughfare and public places local law says “signs cannot be displayed until the local government election nomination day (which is September 7 for the upcoming council election)” on thoroughfares.

It also states signs must be removed within 72 hours after the close of polls.

A public information leaflet about campaign posters available on the City’s website outlines its policy on campaign signage.

A City spokeswoman said City rangers would usually investigate only if complaints about posters came from members of the public.

Both candidates told the Stirling Times they had sought permission from private landowners where the signs were located and no signs were placed on public land. They also said they had liaised with City officers about the placing of signs.

The Osborne ward seat was left vacant by new Balcatta MLA David Michael when he won the seat over Liberal candidate Mr Hatton in March, who had held it since 2013.

Mayor Giovanni Italiano holds the other Osborne ward seat. The Department of Local Government and Communities local election guidelines state posters are typically only allowed to be placed on private property but candidates should ask their local authority.

Stirling councillors up for re-election this year:

– Balga Ward: Cr David Boothman

– Coastal Ward: Cr Karen Caddy

– Hamersley Ward: Cr Andrew Guilfoyle

– Doubleview Ward: Cr Elizabeth Re

– Lawley Ward: Cr Rod Willox

– Inglewood Ward: Cr Terry Tyzack

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