Purpose and Intent of the Policy
Signage is fundamental to how we convey information and plays a crucial role in almost all facets of daily life and consequently affects everyone.
Signage is regulated by a complex range of legislative requirements including, planning controls, local laws and in some cases state and federal legislation. These legislative requirements have decision guidelines and a legislative framework by which signage proposals are assessed and decisions made. In accordance with relevant legislation some signs are exempt from needing a permit.
The Moyne Shire Signage Policy (the Policy) was developed in consultation with the community to provide a local context and to establish a set of principles based on the unique qualities, attributes and “identity” of Moyne Shire. The Policy sets a vision, and parameters for assessment to inform the planning and design of signage in Moyne Shire reflective of the natural and urban landscape, local economy, Aboriginal heritage, community values and expectations and to help Council make a judgement where there are no decision guidelines.
The Policy, adopted by Council also gives it statutory weight in planning decisions and can be referenced in the Moyne Planning Scheme through a planning scheme amendment process. The Policy will be implemented by the Moyne Shire Signage Guidelines, also to be adopted by Council and referenced as required.
Policy Objective
Decisions on signage will be based on the following pillars.
Signage must be:
- Justified or required
- Permitted by relevant legislation or local laws or classified as exempt
- Signs must be able to be clearly understood, unambiguous and multilingual where necessary
- Inclusive and respectful
- Consistent, compatible, and harmonious with the surrounding environment
- Beneficial to the community
- Financially sustainable.
Who this Policy Applies to
Importantly, this policy relates specifically to signs on land where Council is the planning authority, public land manager, or where signage is covered by local laws. It does not cover instances on private property, unless a planning permit is required or where Council is not the decision maker such as (not limited to) VicRoads, Emergency Services, other government agencies or temporary emergency signage.
Signs requiring a planning permit are determined via the Moyne Shire Planning Scheme requirements. This Policy and related Guidelines do not replace or override planning controls, however they provide a reference document for Council to add context to planning decisions.
The Policy covers signage on public and private land under Council’s jurisdiction including signage for:
- Advertising
- Sports grounds, recreation reserves and open space
- Way finding
- Interpretive and visitor information
- Public safety
- Gateways and town entries
- Temporary and permanent signs
- Events and promotions
Definitions of Key Terms and Acronyms Used Within this Policy
Features
A feature is considered to be a unique geographical place or attribute that is easily distinguished within the landscape. For example, a feature can be a mountain, watercourse, building, prominent structure, reserve, individual playing surfaces or park
Localities
A locality is a geographical area that has identifiable community and/or landscape characteristics. In urban areas, a locality is commonly referred to as a ‘suburb’ and has officially recognised boundaries.
Net Community Benefit
A term used in planning legislation to assess whether a project or proposal will lead to the community as a whole being better off.
Project Management Evaluation Matrix
The system used by Council to evaluate and score projects based on specific criteria.
Sign (Oxford dictionary)
A device used to represent something, distinguish something or to convey information.
Sign terms
As defined by the Moyne Shire Planning Scheme at Clause 73.02.
Policy Details
The policy objectives for signage, some of which have competing interests, need to be assessed on their individual merits and balanced to achieve overall community benefit. In many cases this requires Council to make a judgement with the policy detail intended to provide specific criteria used to assess signage proposals in order to meet the Policy.
The policy detail for the signage objectives is provided below. Signs must be:
Justified or required
Where Council approval is required, Council will consider the need for signage as part of the assessment process. Signage has the potential to cause visual clutter, lose effectiveness and detract from the urban and natural environment. Signage that is unnecessary, outdated or excessive will not be supported and will be removed. Council will require colocation of signs where possible and ensure individual signs do not contradict each other or send mixed messages.
Lawful
Council will take enforcement action in relation to signage that is not lawfully erected. Depending upon the circumstances, Council will require unlawful signage to either be removed or an appropriate permit to be sought or may impose fines in accordance with relevant legislation.
Effective
Council will consider the design, materials, size, proposed location and content of signs to ensure that signs are effective, appropriately sited and installed to ensure they achieve their intended purpose. Signs must be respectful of their location, able to be understood not only in the English language, but in other languages particularly for warning or safety signs using universally understood symbols and images where necessary.
Council will investigate digital/smart technology signage in appropriate locations as a means to convey updated information in applicable circumstances and to ensure signs do not discriminate and assist with discrimination legislation compliance.
Safe
Community safety and wellbeing is paramount in relation to signage. Safety and emergency signs are critical to the protection of property and community wellbeing. Council will require that signs erected are in themselves safe and secure and will not potentially cause and accident or harm to the community or unnecessary damage to the environment or wildlife.
Inclusive and respectful
Council will make every effort to ensure that the content of signs is inclusive and respectful, culturally appropriate, and reflective of a diverse community to ensure signage is fair and respectful of traditional landowners, overseas visitors, gender and does not discriminate.
Council will support dual naming on appropriate signage incorporating the Aboriginal place name and official English name in consultation with traditional owners and the community.
Consistent, compatible and harmonious with the surrounding environment
Whilst the need for signage may be justified, Council will consider the environment in which signage will be placed to ensure signs are proportionate to the need, in order to minimise visual intrusion wherever possible.
Signs in the natural environment and open space must be sensitive and must not overwhelm or detract from scenic and natural landscapes. Signs in parks, recreation reserves must be collocated and unobtrusive.
Council will consider the impact on flora and fauna and must at all times ensure that signage does not negatively impact on the environment of the area.
Beneficial to the community
Excluding advertising signs requiring a planning permit or a local law permit, signs should provide a community benefit and not be solely for individual or group self-interest.
In assessing the need or justification of a sign, Council will consider the merits of signage in terms of overall community benefit.
Financially sustainable
Council has limited resources to fund discretionary projects and will evaluate and prioritise signage requests and approved signage projects based upon the availability of external funding, budget availability and resources. Projects will be evaluated and prioritised using Council’s Project Management Evaluation matrix.
Contributions from community groups, donations and fundraising will be encouraged to contribute to the project cost to help facilitate approved signage projects.
Signs which are or will become Council assets must consider maintenance and whole of life costs not just the cost of supply and installation as part of the evaluation criteria.
Consultation and engagement
Council recognises the importance of effective consultation and community engagement to improve outcomes. As signage has the potential to impact everyone, except in cases of emergency, or legislative requirements that exempt consultation, Council will seek feedback from the community, traditional land owners, and relevant stakeholders on significant signage projects and signage proposed in high profile areas wherever possible.
Signage proposals for features and localities names must meet the requirements of the Geographic Place Names Act 1998 and Naming Rules 2023 before being submitted to the Office Of Geographic Names for approval. Refer to Councils Road Naming and Features Naming Policy.
Relevant Legislation / References
External references
- Disability Access and Inclusion Plan
- Local Government Act 2020
- Road Management Act 2004
- Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
- Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2018
- AS/NZS 4819:2011 Rural and urban addressing
- Naming Rules for places in Victoria 2022
- Gender Equity Act 2020
- Planning and Environment Act 1987
- Moyne Planning Scheme
- Asset Project Management Framework Policy
Related policies
- Asset Management Policy
- Aboriginal Engagement and Partnership Plan
- Capital Projects - Council Owned/Controlled Land
- Coast and Marine Asset Management Plan
- Community Engagement Policy
- Complaints Policy
- Council Plan
- East Beach Master Plan
- Events Policy
- Footpath Trading Policy
- Gardens Reserve Master Plan
- Gender Equality Action Plan
- Koroit Structure Plan
- MacArthur Market Street precinct plan
- Moyne Shire Council Local laws
- Open Space Asset Management Plan
- Open Space Strategy
- Peterborough Streetscape Plan
Gender Impact Assessment
A Gender Impact Assessment was undertaken to ensure Moyne Shire Council Services and Programs are inclusive and gender equitable.
Human Rights Commitment
It is considered that this policy does not impact negatively on any rights identified in the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act (2006).
Policy Owners
Director- Assets and Community
Manager- Assets and Infrastructure