FAQ
- The type of signs requiring approval has been reduced to only pole, pylon, freestanding and illuminated signs will now require an approval and one-off application fee;
- window and wall signs will no longer require an approval;
- annual licence renewal fees have been removed;
- one A-frame sign is now permitted per tenancy;
- one real estate directional sign is now permitted at the property;
- individual signs in the Noosaville and Cooroy Industrial Zones have increased up to 6sqm, except for along Eumundi Noosa Road and Walter Hay Drive. A maximum total of 10sqm overall remains;
- the definitions for “tenancy”, “sign face area” and “motor vehicle signs” have been clarified and other minor clarification changes have been made.
- pylon signs;
- pole signs;
- freestanding signs;
- all illuminated signs.
1. Why is Council moving signage regulation into a local law?
Currently, signage is regulated by two local laws and The Noosa Plan.
During the preparation of Council’s new planning scheme,it was determined that a single local law provided clearer approach for regulating signage.
When the new planning scheme takes effect, signage will be regulated by a single local law and not under the planning scheme.
2.What has changed in the revised version 2 of the draft local law?
In response to submissions made during the public notification period a number of changes are now proposed to the draft local law:
3.What are the differences between current signage requirements and what’s proposed?
Signs needing approval
o Currently signs do not require an approval if meeting the requirements of the Noosa Plan or local law.
o The draft local law will require new pylon, pole,freestanding and illuminated signs to gain approval.
Tear drop flags
o Currently one tear drop flag per tenancy is permitted as an alternative to an A- Frame sandwich board, but not both.
o The draft local law will prohibit tear drop flags.
Real estate directional signs
o Currently 6 real estate directional signs are permitted per open house / auction and can be placed on corners and intersections.
o The draft local law will limit real estate directional signs to 1 sign per open for inspection / auction, on or at the front of the property.
Signs in Industrial zones
o Currently individual signs are limited to 4 sqm in Noosa Shire.
o The draft local law will increase the allowable sign size up to 6sqm in the Noosaville Industrial zone and Cooroy Industrial Zone except for along Eumundi Noosa Road and Walter Hay Drive.
LCD digital window signs
o Currently LCD digital screens are prohibited.
o The draft local law will allow one (1) LCD digital screen as an alternative to other window signs.
Shopping centre signage
o Currently there are no specific requirements for shopping centre signage.
o The draft local law will have specific requirements for signage on shopping centres.
Development construction hoarding
o Currently development construction hoarding is prohibited.
o The draft local law will allow this sign without approval.
Event directional signs
o Currently it is unclear if event signage includes market signs.
o The draft local law will exclude markets signs as an event sign.
Sign face area definition
o The draft local law will clarify that the sign face area excludes architectural features or paint trim of a building,fuel safety, signs, warnings and wayfinding. The area of the sign will be measured around the perimeter of the sign.
Multi-tenancy arcade signs and prize home signs.
o Currently these sign types are not defined and therefore prohibited.
o The draft local law includes these sign types, Multi tenancy arcade signs and prize home signs with certain criteria to be met.
4.Will I need an approval for my existing signs?
No approval is required for existing lawful signs erected before the commencement of the draft local law.
5.Will I need an approval for a new sign?
Only the following new permitted sign types require an approval:
All other permitted signs do not require an approval but must meet the relevant sign requirements.
6. How much is the application fee for new signs that require an approval?
A one-off application fee will be required for new signs that require an approval.
The minimum application fee for up to 3 signs requiring an approval is $150; 3-4 signs requiring an approval is $300; and 5 or greater if $450.
All illuminated signs have an application fee of $100 per
sign.
7. Will I have to pay an annual licence fee or ongoing fees?
No licence renewal fees or other ongoing fees will be required for existing or new signage.
8. Can I have an A frame /sandwich board?
One (1) A-frame / sandwich board is permitted per tenancy, placed on the property to which it refers, or where this is not practically possible, immediately adjacent to the property.
Other requirements must also be met relating to sign placement, size, safety, stability, pedestrian access and public liability insurance.
If located on public land, the sign must only be located on the footpath road reserve and must not be located in a garden bed, on a beach, dunal area, or recreation parkland, unless within designated lands lease or permit areas.
9. Are real estate directional signs allowed?
One (1) real estate directional sign is allowed per auction / open for inspection, placed on or out the front of the property to which it refers.
Real estate directional signs are not permitted elsewhere on corners, intersections or any other locations.
10. Can I still have a tear drop flag?
Tear drop flags will be prohibited under the draft local law.
All existing tear drop flags will need to be removed on commencement of the draft local law.
11. How do the proposed changes affect existing business?
Existing businesses with existing lawful signage will not be affected by the draft local law. There are no application requirements or fees required for existing lawful signage.
However, if an existing or new business proposes a new sign it must comply with the requirements of the draft local law. If the new sign is a pylon, pole, freestanding or illuminated sign an application will be required and one off application fee paid.
All other new signs do not require an approval but must meet the requirements of the local law.
Existing tear drop flags must be removed on commencement of the draft local law.
12.When will the new signage rules be decided and finalised?
Following public consultation and consideration of submissions, a report will be submitted to Council to
consider a final draft local law. The draft local law will come into effect when the new planning scheme takes effect early 2020.
13. Why are some businesses receiving letters from Council to change their signage when the new local law isn’t in place yet?
Council has been regulating signage since the 1980s and must continue to regulate signage into the future. Any business that erects signage must comply with the requirements in place at the time the sign is erected.
Permanent Signs
All existing permanent signage must meet the current requirements of The Noosa Plan or any approval issued in the past.
Where signage is not meeting current requirements or the terms of approval, a letter has been issued to businesses to rectify the compliance issue.
The majority of existing permanent signage requirements are not changing under the draft local
law. Therefore, enforcement of the current requirements for permanent signage in The Noosa
Plan will be consistent with the draft local law. The only exception to this is the proposed increase to the individual sign size in the Noosaville and Cooroy Industrial areas.
When the draft local law comes into effect, new signs must comply with the requirements of the new local law.
Temporary Signs
Temporary signs, such as event directional signs, real estate signs, real estate directional signs, garage signs, sandwich board / A frame signs and tear drop flags must meet the current local law requirements until such time as the draft local law takes effect.
Changes proposed under the draft local law to requirements for A- frame / sandwich boards and real estate directional signs and the prohibition of tear drop flags must be complied with when the new draft local law commences.