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Scarborough: mixed reactions to illuminated signs on West Coast Hwy and Scarborough Beach Rd

Laura PondStirling Times

THERE were mixed reactions when the Stirling Times asked for your feedback on illuminated signs recently installed on West Coast Highway and Scarborough Beach Road in Scarborough.

WE love the new street signs around Stirling; in fact, we love them so much we’d love to know how to get our fabulous co-working space promoted on one. VICKI WHITE, Flowspace marketing co-ordinator

AS a ratepayer with one of these signs erected in front of my property at the corner of Huntriss and Scarborough Beach roads, I strongly object to this form of signage which is primarily a revenue raising strategy by the City.

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The process for the development of the policy was flawed and woefully inadequate in the public notification process and makes no requirement for the signage contractor to advise or consult land owners of the intention to erect a sign.

Even worse, the policy allows for two signs at each intersection, so look out.

There is no opportunity for landowners to object to the signage even when it is in direct line of sight from their property.

The sign is illuminated at night and is a dangerous visual distraction, as well as an eyesore at all hours.

Once erected, there is no process to request relocation or removal and landowners are disenfranchised from any recourse to protect their local amenity.

This has been policy development at its worse, driven by financial gain for the City by authorising the approved contractor to advertise signage availability to create the demand within the local business community.

The advice of City officials in 2013 not to proceed with illuminated signage could not have been more accurate and the Council needs to reconsider the policy to include a requirement for the contractor to consult with landowners and provide a process for lodging an objection. For those of us with signs already erected, the opportunity to lodge an objection needs to be put in place to argue for removal or relocation.

The question I would put to those councillors who proposed and supported the policy is, “Would you like this in front of your property?”.

I suspect I know the answer – not in my front yard. RICHARD CURRY, North Beach

THEY have placed one of these billboards in a residential area.

It is an ugly looking steel structure, I just hope that the councillors put one in their own streets. JOHN CINQUINI, Scarborough

Editor’s note: The signs are the result of a policy developed and endorsed by Stirling council.

Engineering design manager Paul Giamov said the City would deal with ratepayers’ concerns on a case by case basis to ensure amenity was not affected.

“In regards to the sign at West Coast Highway and Pearl Parade (which was installed last week), the City and the contractor has tried to accommodate requests from the abutting residents, including a request to reposition the sign by 5 to 6m (so that it was not in their direct sight line from their living areas) and reduction of the brightness of the sign,” he said.

“We will review the sign and location and continue to work with the residents to ensure a satisfactory outcome.”

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