With local election campaigning having barely begun, claims of vandals removing candidate publicity signs belonging to Natalie Harrison and Trevor Dance have surfaced.
Seeking office for the first time – running in Jacksons Creek ward as an independent – Ms Harrison says two of her promotional signs in Goonawarra and one in Bulla disappeared this week.
“I have put my hard-earned money into this campaign, and have been supported by friends and family,” she says. “These signs are not cheap. It is really upsetting that people would do this to me.”
Her running mate, fellow independent Cllr Trevor Dance, standing in Emu Creek ward, says one of his signs was taken down in Sunbury.
“I was told the sign had disappeared over night, there’s nothing I can do, but a day later it re-appeared – but not exactly in the place I first put it,” says Cllr Dance. “Maybe they felt guilty.”
“There’s no point going to police, they are far too busy to worry about an election sign.”
There are strict rules when it comes to election signs.
According to the Hume City Council website, political advertising is not permitted on council land or road reserves.
The Hume Planning Scheme states a planning permit is not required on private property if political advertising meets the following criteria:
- A sign with an advertisement area not exceeding 5 square metres publicising a local political event
- Only one sign may be displayed on the land
- Signs must not be an animated or internally-illuminated
Council states that any political advertising signage found on council property, including leased premises or council road reserves, will be removed. Financial penalties apply, it says.
