Election signage

Once an application is submitted and the applicant has agreed to the permit terms, election signs can be placed within thoroughfares throughout the City of Joondalup.

A ‘thoroughfare’ generally means a road controlled and managed by the City and includes the verge between the road carriageway and any adjoining front property boundary line. The following conditions apply when placing election signs within thoroughfares:

• A sign shall not exceed 0.75m2 in area.
• Signs shall not be placed on, or in front of, private property unless the approval of the owner of the property is obtained prior to the placement of the sign.
• Signs shall not be placed so as to obstruct the view from a street or public place of traffic in a street or public place.
• Signs shall not be placed within 50m of any other thoroughfare’s intersection or junction.
• Signs are to be placed at least 2m from the kerb line, or outer edge of the road shoulder on un-kerbed sections of the road.
• Signs shall not be placed within a traffic island or the median.
• Signs are to be freestanding and not attached to any structure, post or tree. A-frame type signs are not permitted.
• The applicant is to indemnify the City in respect of any injury to any person or any damage to any property which may occur in connection with the placement of the election sign within the thoroughfare.

Election signs or posters may be erected at the place of an election rally, meeting or polling place as approved by the Returning Officer for the election.

Under the City’s Local Government and Public Property Local Law 2014 approval is required before election signs can be placed in a thoroughfare. 

Alternatively, application forms are available by visiting the City’s Customer Care Centre located at the City of Joondalup Administration Building, 90 Boas Avenue, Joondalup.

Applications are on a ‘per event’ basis and each election is to have a separate application.

There is no cost associated with the application.

• The name, address, and contact number of the person responsible for making the application and erecting the signs subject of the permit.
• The date of the election or referenda in which the sign relates.
• The number of signs to be installed and which suburb(s).
• Details of the message to be displayed on the signs.
• Consent that the applicant will agree to the application terms.
• Any other information that may be required by the City at the time the permit application is submitted or at a subsequent time

Once the application is submitted, a maximum of up to five election signs per suburb can be displayed in thoroughfares at any one time. Signs can only be placed in the suburbs relevant to the candidate’s nomination.

You are permitted to place the signs no more than 30 days prior to the federal, state or local government election to which the sign relates. Signs must be removed within seven days after the election to which to sign relates.

Under State and Federal legislation, election signs require certain information to be displayed on the sign such as the name and address (not being a post office box) of the person who authorised the election sign, and the name and business address of the printer of the signs.

Applicants must refer to the specific authorisation requirements that apply to their particular election (if any) from the Australian Electoral Commission or the Western Australian Electoral Commission websites.

Any person or candidate that does not submit an application to the City and proceed to erect signs, will have their signs removed and an infringement may be issued.

City officers will assess compliance with the conditions of application and may remove signs that are considered in breach of those conditions and an infringement may be issued.