Candidates will only have a 60-day window to display their signage at the local government elections next year, according to a regulation amendment recently passed by Logan City council.
Those who exceed the limit will face up to $7000 fines.
According to the controversial changes, candidate signs can be publicly displayed for up to 60 days before the election, which is on 16 March 2024.
They must be removed within seven days after the polling date, and those who wish to display signs outside the 60-day period require a licence.
While the majority of the 13 local councillors voted in favour of the change, five voted against the motion and one councillor, Tony Hall, abstained.
“I do not believe that democratically elected members should be changing the democratic process in terms of which they were elected,” Cr Hall said.
“And my reason for abstaining is I should not have a say yes or no either way.”
Cr Teresa Lane was concerned about accountability, fault and potential loopholes in the amendment.
“I lost over 100 signs last election, so if someone wanted to be vindictive and put my sign up [unlawfully], I could end up with a $7000 fine,” she said.
“I’m not OK with that.”
Cr Raven voted against, not because he disagreed with the restriction but because the amendment provided no funding for extra staff to enforce it, which would cause the current workers to be “stretched even thinner”.
“… we’re creating laws we can’t enforce,” Cr Raven said.
“If someone starts putting signs out, there are no new staff to go and do enforcement on this.”
Mayor Darren Power voted for the change.
“We regulate signs at every election,” Cr Power said.
“There’s always a need for a local government to regulate election signs.”
Council said the “need” comes down to ensuring public safety and minimising impacts on local amenity.
Cr Natalie Willcock also voted for the amendment, and said it was “a start… I’m okay with”.
The amendment follows community consultation in which council received 44 submissions.
Around 88 per cent of responses were in favour of the change.
