Billboards at schools ruled out: but watch this space – Manly Daily
Billboards at schools ruled out: but watch this space – Manly Daily
Apr 01SCHOOLS may no longer be able to display advertising signs on their property after Warringah Council discovered its proposal is against state laws.
The council wanted to amend its planning regulations to allow schools (including Narrabeen Lakes Public) to display advertising banners on their grounds.
But a request to change its development control plan was blocked when it discovered the proposal contravened the State Environmental Planning Policy 64.
This policy prohibits advertising in certain areas, including areas zoned residential, environmentally sensitive or a heritage area.
A council spokeswoman said 75 per cent of schools were in residential zoned areas. In total, of the 55 schools in Warringah, 85 per cent were located in zones that prohibit advertising signage, she said.
The council will now ask the NSW Planning Minister to review laws to possibly allow advertising on school land. The council will not take any action against schools that have already put up advertising signs.
At Tuesday’s council meeting deputy mayor Julie Sutton, who has been a teacher and a representative on school councils, said schools were desperate for funding: “I think they want to take pride in their schools and I don’t think they will put up revolting signs. Let’s put our faith in their decisions to only allow appropriate signs and those that pay well.”
But councillors Conny Harris and Christina Kirsch disagreed, saying the signs would be “unattractive” and would take away from the beauty of the environment. They voted against the motion.
HE STORY SO FAR:
COMPLAINT: Lodged by a Narrabeen resident in August 2010 about advertising signs at Narrabeen Lakes Public School. Warringah Council declared the signs illegal because they did not relate to the dominant land use.comThe principal says the ads generate an extra $ 8000 in income a year
MOVE TO LIFT BAN: The council decided to overturn the ban in September 2010 and sought approval to amend its development control rules to allow the ads.