Election Activities and Signage

Whitehorse City Council supports election campaign activities in line with freedom of expression, fair access and public safety and amenity.

Some activities require a Council permit, some are allowed without a Council permit and some are not allowed at all.

The Whitehorse Community Local Law 2024 ( PDF 973.95KB) guides Council Officers in making decisions about election activities.

Election Activities that need a Council Permit

Activity	Explanation
Promotional stalls set up on Council-owned or controlled footpaths or any other Council-owned land	Stalls with a table and chairs, picket sign or A-frame or banner or teardrop sign
Distribute election handouts such as pamphlets and other materials under the Whitehorse Community Local Law 2024 ( PDF 973.95KB) S2.14	Discarded handouts and materials are to be collected by the permit holder and disposed of thoughtfully

NOTE: Council is unable to approve election activities or issue a permit for non-Council land e.g. railway stations, schools. Applicants should seek approval from that landowner.

Apply for an Election Activity Permit for Council-owned or controlled land.

If the applicant wants to use the space for something other than a temporary promotional stall, other permits may be required. Please contact Council and ask to speak with the Community Safety Department.

Permit Conditions and Permit Breaches

Permit Conditions

The permit holder must ensure that all the permit conditions are complied with at all times.
The applicant must have $20 million of public liability insurance for the permit period.
The permit is not transferable:
- Permits are not to be photocopied and the copies used by someone not named on the permit
- Permits are not to be leased, sold or given away
- No form of advertising of a permit for rent, lease, sale profit or other beneficial or fraudulent consideration of causing such an advertisement to be published is permitted.
The permit is valid on Council-owned or controlled footpaths and other Council-controlled land.
The permit is only valid for the stated permit period.
The permit will allow for furniture such as one portable display board such as an A-Frame or teardrop flag, a table, chairs and umbrellas. All furniture must be secured for safety and cannot be left unattended.
The permit holder must set up in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) principles and relevant codes and standards to provide unobstructed access to others using the area.
A minimum unobstructed distance of 1.8 metres must be maintained from the property line and 0.5m from the kerb at all times.
The handing out of pamphlets and other election materials under Whitehorse Community Local Law 2024 ( PDF 973.95KB) S2.14 is permitted. Discarded items are to be collected by the permit holder and disposed of legally.
The following activities are not permitted:
- The placement of flyers or other election materials under car windscreens wipers
- Signs or banners on a vehicle or trailer parked on Council-controlled land
- The use of sound amplification equipment
- Bill posters (stuck as posters or stickers) affixed to surfaces.
Council will NOT allow, without a valid Council permit, the installation of permanent structures, including electrical lighting and sound systems on Council land.
Signs/display boards must comply with Clause 52.05 of the Victorian Planning Requirements and may not:
- Be reflective or flashing
- Be secured to trees or safety rails or bollards, or in such a manner that Council assets are damaged or public safety is compromised
- Advertise alcohol, cigarettes, or tobacco products
- Be worded or contain illustrations that are likely to cause offence to any person or organisation.
The permit holder is not to advertise or associate the election activity with advertising nor sell or offer or expose for sale any article or commodity.
At the conclusion of the permit period a new application form must be submitted.
The permit must be produced for an Authorised Council Officer on request.
The permit holder will comply with all directions by a member of Victoria Police or an Authorised Council Officer, including a direction that election activities cease or that the location of the election activity be moved to lessen congestion or inconvenience to other persons.

Permit Condition Breaches

If the permit holder breaches the permit conditions:

The permit may be cancelled.
Fines may be issued.
Costs incurred by Council may be charged directly to the permit holder.
Goods or equipment may be impounded.
Future permit applications may be declined.

Apply for an Election Activity Permit

Election Advertising Requirements

Election Activities Allowed Without a Council Permit

Activity	Explanation
Pamphlet or flyer distribution	Dropping election materials in residents' letterboxes
Door knocking	Visiting local resident and business premises
Signs and banners displayed on vehicle and/or trailer when they are in transit	A mobile election poster on a trailer or truck
Signs and banners displayed on parked vehicles and trailers or as free standing signs or attached to private structure on private land	A trailer with a billboard or A-frame sign. NOTE: You will need to seek permission from the landowner Signs must not be displayed more than 3 months before polling day Signs must be removed no later than 14 days after polling day Signs must be no larger than 5m² One sign per property

Election Activities Not Allowed (Penalties may apply)

Activity	Explanation
Signs or banners on a vehicle or trailer parked on Council-controlled land	Advertising on a vehicle or trailer in a park, garden, reserve, nature strip or road-related area.
Signs and banners on Council-controlled structures and assets	Coreflute signs on median strip or council property fences.
Bill posters (stuck as posters or stickers) affixed to surfaces	Bill postings on council-owned buildings, council-owned fences, public rubbish bins, residential rubbish bins, power poles and utilities is considered to be littering.
Placing loose flyers under car window wipers	This is considered to be the same as bill posting.
Operating promotional stalls on Council-controlled land without a permit	May result in the impounding of furniture and signs.

Permit Period

The Election Activity Permit period is specified on the permit.

Permit Fees (GST Exempt)

Election Activity Permits are free of charge.

Impounded Election Signs/Furniture

Any advertising sign or furniture displayed without a valid permit may be impounded by an authorised officer. Penalties may also apply.

Littering

Without prior written approval, Bill posting (posters) and the handing out of material without a permit may be considered littering and will be dealt with under the relevant provisions of the Environment Protection Act 2017. Penalties may apply for any breaches detected.

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