HUME council is investigating a complaint about over-sized advertising signage, with the federal election just weeks away.
City sustainability director Kelvin Walsh said advertising signs were subject to a size restriction of five square metres if they were “publicising a local educational, cultural, political, religious, social or recreational event not held for commercial purposes”.
Although the council would not reveal who had complained about which sign, two massive roadside signs advertising McEwen candidate Donna Petrovich have straddled the Calder Highway since the upper house state MP stood down to take Sunbury lobbyist Ben Collier’s place three months ago as the Liberal candidate for the federal seat.
More recently, an advertisement promoting the Liberals’ Calwell candidate, Ali Khan, appeared opposite council offices in Broadmeadows, on top of the building where sitting Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou has her office.
Mr Walsh confirmed a complaint had been lodged about one sign, but would not say whether or not that sign was a political one.
“We are currently investigating a complaint about one large sign and will take appropriate action if the sign is found to be in breach of the planning scheme,” he said.
The only indication that the sign under scrutiny was a political message was when Mr Walsh said: “While Hume residents and business are able to support their preferred candidates for this year’s federal election, it is critical that they meet the signage requirements. Anyone found flouting the rules will be fined.”
However, when the Weekly persisted with its inquiry, the council later said: “We received a complaint about one political sign. It is inappropriate to say any more, including the alleged location, while we investigate it.”
Those erecting illegal signs could face fines of $704 for each sign, as would each landowner who allows a sign to be erected on private property.
