MOUNT Gambier City Council has given sporting clubs an amnesty on the removal of unapproved sponsorship signage on council-owned reserves.
It follows a council staff request provided to several council-managed tenants to remove signage from their tenanted facilities that require development approvals from local government.
Council identified 91 sponsorship signs at four different sporting grounds that still require building or development approval.
Provisions within council’s advertising and signage policy outline the placement of advertising signage on reserves are to be such the primary audience is users of the grounds.
The issue stems from several signs across the council-owned sites which primarily face out of the sporting reserves, targeting people entering or passing the venue.
At last week’s May monthly council meeting – held electronically – elected members were encouraged to note the request for removal and convene a workshop with clubs regarding the policy when the easing of COVID-19 restrictions allowed.
However, councillor Ben Hood amended the motion to provide an amnesty until a workshop takes place, raising concerns about the timing of requesting sponsorship signage to be removed.
“It is important to note that especially during this current pandemic that many of our clubs would be struggling and sponsorships are a big part of what keeps our clubs going,” Cr Hood said.
“Signage such as the ones we are discussing also demonstrate the commitment of businesses to our sporting clubs.
“This amendment will give sporting clubs a clear understanding that we want to work together with the sporting clubs to ensure we get a good result that will benefit all involved.”
West Gambier Football Club president Shane Giddings welcomed the amended motion after the club was asked to remove 23 of its signs at Malseed Park.
“Without sponsorship, we may as well shut our doors realistically because there is no hope of us succeeding without sponsorship,” he said.
“I commend the council, they have been really approachable for us and for them to create a workshop where we can be educated and work with them – that’s what we wanted.”
Labelling it a sensible approach in the current business landscape, Mr Giddings was confident an agreement could be reached during the workshop.
“I think it’s a good point to not have 100 signs along our fence-line, but a couple of signs that clubs have now, which endorse local businesses as well is a good thing,” he said.
“I’m sure all four clubs locally and the council can work something out in the future
