Election Signage Protocol 2024

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Election Signage Protocol

Guiding Policy – Conduct During Elections Policy

The Conduct During Elections Policy 2024 (the Policy) is the overarching policy for

this protocol.

1. Introduction

The Election Signage Protocol provides a transparent and consistent process which

covers a number of considerations in relation to the safe, fair and effective conduct

for election activities in a municipality. It complements the Conduct During Elections

Policy to enable everyone to understand and fulfil their duties as an individual and

collective to maintain transparency and good governance. It supports compliance

with the Local Government Act 2020 (the Act) and the Local Government

(Governance and Integrity) Regulations 2020 (Regulations).

2. Purpose

The purpose of the Protocol transparent and consistent processes for management of

election signage and stalls in the City of Brimbank for Federal, State and Local

elections.

3. Scope

The protocol relates to the roles of Councillors, Council officers and candidates (and

their supporters) during an election period.

4. Protocol

The

(the

), The Environment Protection Act 2017,

Environment Protection Regulations 2021, Brimbank City Council General Local Law

2018 and Brimbank’s Planning Scheme should be referred to when considering

placement of electoral signage and campaigning during elections.

4.1 General protocol in relation to electoral material

Election Signage Protocol 2024

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Type of

Sign

Council Land

Includes parks, reserves, roads

(parking bays, footpaths, nature

strips) etc.

Any sign placed on Council land

contrary to the requirements below

may be impounded.

Private Property

Any sign placed on private property contrary

to the requirements below may be subject

to fines and enforcement action under the

Trailers



Must be attached to a moving

vehicle.



Subject to compliance with

the

,

road safety rules and regulations.



Within a road reserve of an

arterial road or freeway, written

consent from the Head of Transport

for Victoria is required unless an

exemption applies.



Cannot be parked or placed on

Council land.



Must not be displayed more then 3

months before an election



Must be removed within 14 days after the

election or 3 months from the date of first

display, whichever falls first



No larger then 5m2 (each side)



1 sign per property



Only publicising information about a

candidate for an election.



Must not display political messages or

party material



May display general information of the

date, time venue for voting



The sign is not animated or internally

illuminated



Must have the name, street address and

contact phone number of a person

responsible for the sign. Note that if the

land abuts a freeway or arterial road

reserve, written consent from the Head of

Transport for Victoria may be required.

You may apply for a planning permit for

signage outside of these rules.

A-Board



Prohibited

As Above

Stalls

Local Laws permit required for the

placement or obstructions on or

over Council land.

Free

Standing

Signs



Prohibited

As Above

Election Signage Protocol 2024

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Signs

attached to

structures



Prohibited

As above (Contact Statutory Planning for

signage regulations at your electoral

premises).

Public/

Community

Areas



Local Laws permit required

Bill Posters



Prohibited (including the placing

of any form of advertising on the

windscreens of vehicles anywhere

(public or private land).

These are considered littering and

will be dealt with under the

provisions of the

.



Prohibited

These are considered littering and will be

dealt with under the provisions of the

.

Flyers



Local Laws permit required



Exempt from mailboxes marked ‘no junk

mail’.

Windscreens

(of any

vehicle)



Prohibited



Prohibited

Part 4.1 of the Environmental Protection Act

2017 prohibits the placing of any form of

advertising on the windscreens of vehicles

anywhere (public or private land).

This is also outlined under Regulation 56 of

the Environment Protect Regulations 2021

Banners and

Flags



Prohibited



Prohibited

Part 4.1 of the Environmental Protection Act

2017 prohibits the placing of any form of

advertising on the windscreens of vehicles

anywhere (public or private land).

This is also outlined under Regulation 56 of

the Environment Protect Regulations 2021

Any unauthorised electoral signage may be removed by the relevant Authority, with fees and/or fines

applying.

4.2 If election signage is displayed on Council Land

a) Council may request the immediate removal of the signage by the owner or candidate, or

may remove the signage without notification to the owner or candidate.

b) An infringement notice and fine may be issued to the candidate, in accordance with the

General Local Law 2018.

c) Any costs incurred by Council to remove signage, and/or any costs caused by the

signage, for example, damage to trees, will be charged to the candidate.

Election Signage Protocol 2024

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d) If election signage is displayed on Crown, Federal or State land in the City of Brimbank,

Council will contact the relevant land manager to request the sign be removed.

e) Victoria Police will be contacted in the event of anyone attempting to obstruct Council

officers removing signage.

f) Council will report all instances of the display on Council land of candidate election

signage for a local government election, to the Victorian Electoral Commission.

4.3 Election Signage on Private Land

a) Candidates should be guided by any guidelines issued by Local Government Victoria, the

Victorian Electoral Commission or any relevant statutory body in relation to safe

campaigning, at all times.

b) Under the Brimbank Planning Scheme, election signage is permitted on private land, with

restrictions. Council prohibits election signage exceeding five (5) square metres to be

displayed on private property without a planning permit. No more than one (1) sign can

be displayed on the land, and any signage must be removed within 14 days of the

election being held or 3 months of the first date of display of the sign, whichever falls

first

c) Council will take compliance action against the land owner and individual candidates

and/or parties displaying any sign that is in breach of the Brimbank Planning Scheme.

Council will immediately notify the land owner and/or candidate of the requirement for

the sign to be removed immediately, and undertake further action if the signage is not

removed.

d) A planning infringement notice and fine may be issued to the candidate, in accordance

with the Brimbank Planning Scheme.

e) Council will report all instances of breaches of the Brimbank Planning Scheme in relation

to candidate election signage to the Victorian Electoral Commission.

5. Review

A review of this Protocol will be completed every four years or earlier as required by the Governance

and Risk Department. More frequent reviews may occur due to changes in the legislative and

regulatory framework or on request by Council.

6. Protocol ownership

Responsible Director: Director People, Partnerships and Performance

Responsible Manager: Manager Governance and Risk

Directorate: People, Partnerships and Performance

Department: Governance and Risk

7. Related documents

Councillor Code of Conduct

Conduct During Election Period Policy

General Local Law 2018

Brimbank Planning Scheme

8. Approval

Election Signage Protocol 2024

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Approved by: Manager Governance and Risk

Date:

Amendment of Protocol - Internal Policy – Approved by

Manager Governance and Risk

Rev

Reviewed Date

Reason for Amendment

Next Review Date

A

January 2020

Election period

January 2024

B

March 2024

Election period

March 2028