Mrs PADGHAM-PURICH - 1997-04-24
Because there have been many changes in the past and a recent change, what is the current policy of the Department of Transport and Works on private road signs along highways in respect of the age, location and size of signs, vis-…-vis the increasing number of official Transport and Works roadside signs?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, this is certainly a topical issue in the rural area at the moment with the number of signs that are in place along the Stuart Highway, the length of time some of those signs have been there and the number of signs that may relate to any particular premises. Some of the signs can be described best as visual pollution. They are not particularly good signs.
Mrs Padgham-Purich: Some of your official ones are like that.
Mr COULTER: Maybe. However, you will find that they are at least consistent. They are all of the same type. For years, some people have put their sign on a trailer or on wheels and chained it to the water pipeline that runs alongside the Stuart Highway. It really has been a matter of Rafferty's rules. Earlier this year, I took a road sign policy document to Cabinet. This presented a range of options for Cabinet to consider. My Cabinet colleagues decided to seek further input on this issue from backbenchers. I made the document available to backbenchers and I had feedback from some members. I would be happy to have the member for Nelson's input on this matter. I am sure she has a position on roadside signs in her electorate. I would welcome her input on whether we should remove them all or simply allow anybody to erect a sign along the highway. That is where it is at.
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The member for Victoria River provided substantial input to that policy document because it affects the roadside areas entering and leaving Katherine where many signs have been erected over the years. We need to have a policy. Some people will not be happy with it, but we cannot allow the proliferation of roadside signs to continue. Mr Speaker, I would welcome input from you as well, because it affects your area. Perhaps the member for Barkly could contribute, as Tennant Creek is in a similar situation. I must remind members, however, that it would take a very courageous local member to demand that all the signs be removed or be of a certain standard.
Mrs Hickey: We'll send it anonymously.
Mr COULTER: Yes, I am sure it will not be on your letterhead. I will circulate the policy document to those members who have a problem in this area, for their input.
Page 2062
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, this is certainly a topical issue in the rural area at the moment with the number of signs that are in place along the Stuart Highway, the length of time some of those signs have been there and the number of signs that may relate to any particular premises. Some of the signs can be described best as visual pollution. They are not particularly good signs.
Mrs Padgham-Purich: Some of your official ones are like that.
Mr COULTER: Maybe. However, you will find that they are at least consistent. They are all of the same type. For years, some people have put their sign on a trailer or on wheels and chained it to the water pipeline that runs alongside the Stuart Highway. It really has been a matter of Rafferty's rules. Earlier this year, I took a road sign policy document to Cabinet. This presented a range of options for Cabinet to consider. My Cabinet colleagues decided to seek further input on this issue from backbenchers. I made the document available to backbenchers and I had feedback from some members. I would be happy to have the member for Nelson's input on this matter. I am sure she has a position on roadside signs in her electorate. I would welcome her input on whether we should remove them all or simply allow anybody to erect a sign along the highway. That is where it is at.
Page 2061
The member for Victoria River provided substantial input to that policy document because it affects the roadside areas entering and leaving Katherine where many signs have been erected over the years. We need to have a policy. Some people will not be happy with it, but we cannot allow the proliferation of roadside signs to continue. Mr Speaker, I would welcome input from you as well, because it affects your area. Perhaps the member for Barkly could contribute, as Tennant Creek is in a similar situation. I must remind members, however, that it would take a very courageous local member to demand that all the signs be removed or be of a certain standard.
Mrs Hickey: We'll send it anonymously.
Mr COULTER: Yes, I am sure it will not be on your letterhead. I will circulate the policy document to those members who have a problem in this area, for their input.
Page 2062
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016