COUNCILLORS have adopted a new Flags, Banners and Signage policy which will allow conditional commercial use of Baw Baw’s 56 flag and banner poles.
The draft policy presented to councillors earlier this year did not allow commercial use of the flags, but community feedback during the February to March consultation period prompted the council to change the policy.
The council received three submissions from community members in that period.
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Commercial use of the flags will be permitted if they promote a local business group or chamber of commerce as opposed to a single business, and flags advertising such groups are restricted to the town in which they operate.
The commercial use of the flags will, however, not bring the council extra revenue with the Flags and Banners Program operating on a not-for-profit basis.
On moving the motion to adopt the policy, North ward councillor Deb Brown said councillors hoped more poles would be added around the shire.
“After community feedback [we have decided to] include the commercial usage under strict conditions,” Cr Brown said.
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“Hopefully with some planning more (poles) will be added around the shire.
“Hopefully these will instil a sense of community pride.”
Poles are situated in Warragul, Drouin, Trafalgar, Darnum and Thorpdale and the community billboard is on Princes Way, Warragul.
Warragul ward councillor Gerard Murphy said “a good outcome has been achieved” and the cost of the flags had to be considered when drafting the policy.
Council officers anticipate promoting larger community events, including festivals and Australia Day, will continue to be the main use of the poles.
A design approval process was included in the adopted policy and hirers are expected to cover all costs relating to artwork, production, installation and removal of flags.
The policy will be reviewed in 12 months.
I hope Neerim South gets some poles in time for fair dinkum ‘Christmas’decorations, not just ‘seasons greetings’ on the top of the drive-through bottle shop we saw last year.It was so disappointing.