The signs are not looking good for people who advertise commercial activities on public land in Whangarei - the district council is cracking down on signs that breach its bylaws and clutter up roadsides.
Whangarei District Council spokeswoman Ann Midson said the council bylaw stated advertising signs were not permitted on
its roading reserves or any public land. However, exemptions were made for signs that were intended to be there short term and advertising community events and for real estate signs immediately outside the property for sale.
No other commercial signs were allowed, but Ms Midson said in recent months the council had noticed a proliferation of commercial signs cluttering up the road reserves around the district.
As well as breaching the council rules, they could become a distraction to motorists and the council was cracking down.
Council staff have been putting notices on the offending signs urging owners to remove them by February 1 or the council will.
The sign owners could then pick up the signs from the council, but they may have to pay any costs of the removal.
Ms Midson said short-term community type signs were permitted as they were to promote community events, not commercial ones, which enhanced the lifestyle of the region and its community.
"The problem in recent months has been there's been a real proliferation of commercial signs," she said.
As well as putting notices on the signs, the council had written letters to 26 real estate agents and those involved in putting their signs up, reminding them of the bylaw.
"They understand the situation and are very happy about it," Ms Midson.
The council has already removed six signs it felt were causing a traffic hazard and some that had been nailed to heritage trees.
