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Guidelines for electoral materials

The following guidelines are provided for electoral material (including the placement of electoral signs) with the Greater Bendigo City Council.

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Electoral material requirements

The following conditions apply to the placing or distribution of electoral material:

  1. Signage
     
  2. Mobile billboards, (trailer types) are not to be left standing/stationary on any road (including footpaths, bridges, bicycle paths, nature strips and any other land or works forming part of the road). This type of signage has to be mobile at all times
     
  3. Vehicles (other than trailers) that are permanently sign written may display signage, provided that they meet parking legislation requirements including time limits etc.
     
  4. The Environmental Protection Act 2017 (Litter section) prohibits the placing of any form of advertising on the windscreens of vehicles anywhere (public or private land)
     
  5. Banners, flags are also prohibited as in (2) above and are not to be attached to any fixtures located on any of the roads as in (2)
     
  6. No distribution of handbills is permitted without a permit. A person must not, without a permit, give out or distribute to by-standers to passers-by on any road or Council land, any handbills, placards, notices, advertisements, books, papers or pamphlets (Community Local Law 4.3 Activities in a Public Place)

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) provides additional guidance on printing and publishing electoral material (including authorisation requirements) and election offices in their Candidate Handbook.

VEC Candidate Handbook

Signs

Where signs can be placed (private land)

Electoral signs can be placed on or affixed to private property provided the property owner’s permission is obtained and the following requirements are observed (Planning Scheme Clause 52.05-10):

  • A sign with an advertisement area not exceeding 5 square metres publicising a local educational, cultural, political, religious, social or recreational event not held for commercial purposes.  
  • Only one sign per candidate may be displayed on the land, it must not be an animated or internally-illuminated sign.
  • The electoral sign must not be displayed longer than 3 months or more than 14 days after the election (November 9 2024), whichever is sooner.
  • A sign publicising a local political event may include information about a candidate for an election.

Note: signs attached to heritage buildings need to be affixed in such a way that they don’t damage the fabric of the building.

Where signs cannot be placed (council land)

Electoral signs/advertising are not permitted on roads including footpaths, bridges, bicycle paths, nature strips and other land or works forming part of the road. (Community Local Law 3.2 & 3.6).

Electoral signs/advertising are not permitted on municipal buildings or assets (including trees, power boxes, public seating, rubbish bins and fences), land reserves or Council land.

No electoral signs, apart from simple directional signage, are able to be displayed in the common public areas of a Council facility being hired.

Removal of signs

Candidates must comply with the above guidelines, as any electoral sign placed in a manner contrary to legislation or Council’s local law may be impounded by Council Officers without reference to the candidate.

Release fees and infringement notices may also be applied (Community Local Law 10 Administration 10.18).

If you have any queries in relation to this matter, please do not hesitate to contact Local Laws on 1300 002 642.

Related information

Nominate as a candidate

Nominate as a candidate in the upcoming Council elections.

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