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. Find out more below.

The Whitehorse City Council Local Law ( PDF 280.06KB) guides Council Officers in making decisions about election activities.

Election Activities that need a Council Permit

Activity	Explanation
Promotional stalls set up on footpaths or the designated spaces at Box Hill or Britannia Malls and any other Council-owned land	Stalls with a table and chairs, picket sign or A-frame or banner or teardrop sign

Apply for an Election Activity Permit

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.

Election Activity Permit Conditions

The applicant must supply valid copies of the required documentation with the permit application. This includes the Certificate of Currency for a minimum of $10M of public liability insurance (obtainable from your insurer)
The applicant cannot carry out election activities described in the permit application without first obtaining a valid permit
The permit is
- only valid at the nominated site/location stated on the permit
- only valid for the time period stated on the permit
- not transferrable and cannot 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
At the conclusion of the permit period a new application form must be submitted
Only election activities may be promoted
Only one portable display board/sign (such as an A-Frame or tear drop banner), a table, chairs and umbrellas. All furniture must be secured for safety and cannot be left unattended.
The portable display board/sign is prohibited in residential areas
Signs may not be reflective or flashing
Promotional equipment, signage and furniture must be positioned so that it conforms to the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) and Council's Footpath Trading Guidelines ( PDF 547.5KB)
The site must be cleaned at the conclusion of the activity and any discarded items removed
Handing out promotional materials is permitted. The applicant is requested to pick up any discarded materials and dispose of them thoughtfully
The placement of materials under car windscreens is prohibited
Permits are allocated on ‘first come, first served’ basis. However, a site will be allocated to an applicant no more than twice in any one election cycle
Council will NOT permit the installation of permanent structures, including electrical lighting and sound systems.
Council reserves the right to cancel bookings should works need to be carried out on that site during the allocated time. Council will endeavour to allocate an alternative site.
The permit may be suspended by a member of Victoria Police or by an authorised Council Officer for any reason at any time.

Apply for an Election Activity Permit

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 need 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.

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.

Penalties

Both the Whitehorse Planning Scheme and Community Local Law ( PDF 280.06KB) provide for penalties for any breaches detected by authorised Officers.

You are here