Billboards [and their status in Canberra]

Wow, bit of a thread bump this one.

Anyway, the only advertising billboards, in the truer sense, that I am aware of in Canberra are on the Canberra Centre car parks. They’re viewable from Ballumbir Street and Ainslie Ave.

Static commercial billboards on government land are banned, but there is a loophole that allows mobile ones (on trailers, trucks etc). So if there is one of these parked by the road, as there was this morning on Parkes Way, advertising for British American Tobacco their opposition to plain cigarette pacakaging, the best they can do is to call parking operations and give them a ticket for parking in the wrong place!!

I hate billboards of all kinds – am even irritated by the huge ones the government has put up at Crace. If it is purely for information (i.e. telling you what is being developed on a particular site) that is okay, but advertising is just an eyesore and unlike commercial TV, I can’t choose to turn it off.

it has been documented that billboards actually degrade our perception and cause health problems. many cities are getting rid of them whilst we are getting them installed good for us.

I came across this discussion today and found it interesting.
Back in 2005 I’m sure we didn’t have half as many useless signs around Canberra that we have now.
Talk about visual pollution.
For example, how are you supposed to watch where you are driving (and keep within the speed limit) when you’re invited to be distracted all the time by a forest of unnecessary road signs?

It is a reasonable question Vic, on one hand there’s the notion of the mental environment, which says that we’re already overwhelmed with information so why do we need to have a whole bunch of corporate messages shoved down our throats when we’re out and about (a view I kind of subscribe to) but on the other hand, is this stuff just a fact of life in a city and do they in fact make a place a bit more like a city.

Is this what makes people think the Can’ is a little bland?

Maybe the alternative is to have art billboards – non commercial outdoor public art works??

As to whether they’re commercial or not Smackbang – even if they’re government, aren’t they still trying to sell stuff. Where’s the line between public information and marketing?

Why would billboards be banned in Canberra?

Genuine question! Seems quite daft!

It is not a commercial billboard. It’s advertising for the Land Development Agency’s East Woden development. You’ll find similar signs at Gungahlin (Well’s Estate) and Fyshwick (EpiCentre) where the LDA is also involved in development projects. No biggie.

It’s something about some new land development – Woden village or some equally lame name.

cant remember it.. what does it say?