A recent Victorian Planning Provision amendment came into force on 18 February 2013 which adopts a common-sense approach to the replacement of the content of advertising signage. The amendment to Clause 52.05 inserts a new provision which states;
52.05-5 Existing signs
A sign that was lawfully displayed on the approval date or that was being constructed on that date may be displayed or continue to be displayed and may be repaired and maintained.
A lawfully displayed advertisement may be renewed or replaced.
However, a permit is required:
- If the advertisement area is to be increased.
- If the renewal or replacement would result in a different type of sign.
A sign that is reconstructed must meet the relevant advertising sign requirements.
Prior to the changes coming into force, a permit was technically required to replace ‘like with like’ signage, occasionally resulting in enforcement action undertaken by Responsible Authorities against unsuspecting business owners who replaced previous tenant’s signs with their own. The changes to Clause 52.05 make perfect sense in that they allow signage to be replaced as businesses change names or update their corporate branding. The changes also allow for signage areas or panels to be contemplated in principal planning permit applications, reducing the need in some cases for separate applications for business identification signage.
It is important to bear in mind that the changes are not a free-for-all, and that the provisions of Clause 52.05 continue to encourage appropriately scaled and attractive signage which does not clutter streetscapes or cause confusion for motorists.
We at Clause: 1 applaud this move towards ‘common-sense’ planning and would like to see other changes like this in the near future.