19 June 2017

For sale: Canberra sky, barely used

| Chris Endrey
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Canberra has had a ban on billboards since the 1930s, should we overturn that now?

There’s growing noise in the community surrounding a Parliamentary Inquiry which will review the restriction of billboard advertising in the ACT. Chief Minister Andrew Barr has flagged the need for the review in light of mobile traffic billboards and banners being draped from buildings that are stretching the current restrictions. However, this cynic is not alone in noting that the timing coincides with an opportunity for the Government to cash in on the skyline real estate opening along with our new light rail routes.

Submissions for the inquiry close COB 20 June and I think it’s a great opportunity to reflect on how we value our public space and consider who advertising really best serves.

It goes without saying that, for better or worse, Northbourne Avenue is our Champs Élysées. This key axis was inked by Marion’s own hand and typically only the fly-in-fly-out dorks of the Hill live their lives without intersecting with it.

Who wins when every new traveller to Canberra is directed to Subway™ and not Bite To Eat or Smith’s Alternative? Probably not our visitors, certainly not our society, and quite likely not our fragile reputation either.

The products and atmosphere of so many local businesses obliterate those of the big dog advertisers by the measure of anyone but the coldest of free market psychos – yet you can imagine the exponential difference in their daily takings.

The capacity to fill public space is sadly determined by profitability and scale rather than value or quality. To introduce billboards is to punish those businesses that invest profits into our vibrant community and deliver a free kick for those whose money chiefly goes to Sydney moorings or maintaining empty offices in Panama.

How we use our public space may seem an abstract triviality, but the skewed flow of information can have an enormous impact on our lives.

The deleterious effect of advertising upon our psychological wellbeing is also widely studied, with the American Psyhchological Association having called for strict regulation of ads targeting children in particular for decades. A taskforce from that same organisation linked depression, eating disorders, anxiety, and low self-esteem to the sexualisation of girls in advertising. The rate of these symptoms across the general population are the face of a costly social crisis, with a nexus of causes that are admittedly extremely difficult to address.

I’m not pretending that protecting a few square metres on Limestone will safeguard all of our mental health. But knowing with full certainty that exposure to advertising is a factor in such severe harm, do we then willingly sell these problems more terrain in our society for mere thousands of dollars?

We are increasingly wary of gambling ads during sports matches and outright uncomfortable with junk food ads that target children. The national ban on cigarette advertising is a well-accepted reality. We tacitly share the understanding that advertising’s social cost isn’t always worth the trade.

To this absurdist, going out of our way to give up Canberra’s uniquely quiet skyline seems beyond absurd.

Regrettably, I am a good-for-nothing smartarse, and if the ban is relaxed, I’ll be tempted to pass around a hat to buy a billboard saying ‘The ACT Hates You’ – just to subtly sledgehammer the point home.

Public space that is sold off is almost never reclaimed. If we are to fundamentally change the aesthetic of our fair town, we must be certain that it actually is to the benefit of all.

If you have a position on the matter (even if you’re the type of raging weirdo who disagrees with me), I recommend you make a contribution to the Inquiry into Billboards before COB Tuesday 20 June and join in the discussion below. Even just a sentence or two will be lodged with the Committee and adds your voice to the matter.

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Sam Hussey-Smith11:19 pm 05 Jul 17

Hey folks – there is now also a formal e-petition running on the ACT Legislative Assembly website that opposes relaxing the ban on billboards. You can sign it here: https://epetitions.act.gov.au/CurrentEPetition.aspx?PetId=56&lIndex=-1

If we get over 500 signatures the Planning Minister has to formally respond, and it gets referred to the Billboards Inquiry committee.

A whole stack of submissions to this enquiry have now been put up online. (Click the “Submissions” tab to see them all.)
I haven’t viewed all of them, but out of twenty-five or so that I randomly opened, only two have expressed any support for more relaxed regulations, and one of those was a billboard company. Most are some variation of “No! Not now, not ever!”, a sentiment with which I fully agree.
Also of interest is the fact that this enquiry generated a record number of submissions (see under the “Other documents” tab) – something that I attribute to the influence of the Riot Act. I know I’d never have heard of it with this article by Chris E. So, thanks Chris 🙂

Bad idea; the last thing society needs is more YELLING at us; we are yelled at by politicians, by radio, tv, social media and even filling the car with petrol; is there no place to escape the yelling (advertising/marketing). Absolutely no public benefit so if it goes ahead it is purely a money grab by a government who can’t balance the books and is desperate for money whatever the source and is welling to sell us all for a quid. Shameful.

ChrisinTurner3:52 pm 23 Jun 17

The battle must be over as a huge billboard has just been erected in Ainslie Ave residential area on the old Bega Flats. It is about two storeys high and would not be legal unless the law has already changed.

Meanwhile, sandwich boards have proliferated without regulation on Canberra footpaths. Shop owners feel entitled to colonise any space they wish – even if they don’t own it. These things are a hazard to pedestrians trying to negotiate the Civic area. They are intentionally placed to obstruct pedestrian access.

http://www.thelonius.com.au/cbr/cbr-mini-billboards.JPG

All types of billboards should be covered and they should also apply to politicians. During the last election the politicians shamefully entered into a cardboard or more likely plastic sign war. I don’t think they missed a lamp post or tree. It was a disgusting waste of money, looked incredibly untidy and were a distraction to road users. The only people who may have got something out of it were the ego tripping people who “owned” the signs.
Roadside signs are distracting, the electronic types even more so and cause yet another danger on our roads. Signs should be restricted to those warning of hazards or changed road conditions. There is no good argument for them unless of course the Local Government can see yet another way to squeeze a dollar out of one more inane decision.

1950sVintage4:45 pm 22 Jun 17

The clear image of the bush-capital needs maintaining. Let our city be proudly different from others. Returning home to its clean lines, I notice features of landscape and architecture. In times of visual pollution and information overload, continue our city a human livable place. Once allowed in it will never be regained.
Allow the general public to post in banner/advertising violations in order to have those ‘pushing the boundaries’ to back off
Everyone I know appreciates the lack of billboard advertising, and I defy you to find a majority who support allowing such pollution in to our city.
The money raised by the few is outweighed by those who not return as visitors, because it’s just like other trashy proudless places.
Regards bruce

Chris Endrey3:48 pm 20 Jun 17

If you’re just reading this and still want to make a submission, the Secretariat are willing to consider late submissions 🙂

If possible, ring them today to say you only just learned of the Inquiry and send something in tomorrow morning.

Rol said :

How about everyone commenting here goes and puts in a submission?
I have! act!

Agree with you there @Rol! Done!

How about everyone commenting here goes and puts in a submission?
I have! act!

“Northbourne Avenue is our Champs Élysées.”

Well, not for long as soon our Northbourne Avenue, with all wires currently underground, will be scarred permanently by the ugly wire-scape that goes wherever trams are.

The one in Paris is free of that vista impediment.

Josh Mulrine said :

Well researched article Chris. I think the number of billboards we have now is ok. I don’t mind seeing them on buildings like the back of Canberra Theatre or even the Canberra Centre carpark. I mostly filter them out anyway.

If we were to litter them down Northbourne Av then we risk losing our image of The Bush Capital. Then we will have to recast our votes for next year’s number plate slogan. Perhaps it could read ‘losing our identity’.

Signs down Northbourne Avenue with bullet holes would ensure we would retain a bush capital identity.

Imogen Ebsworth11:41 am 20 Jun 17

couldn’t agree more Chris. As a new resident to Canberra it is downright refreshing to be in a city with minimal outdoor advertising and such a strong emphasis on greenspace and connection to Australia’s environment. This is Canberra’s core point of differentiation, and as the home of most of our major national cultural institutions, surely the point of difference can be increased by showcasing public art displays, creating dynamic and inclusive public space that is everyone’s.

Josh Mulrine11:00 am 20 Jun 17

Well researched article Chris. I think the number of billboards we have now is ok. I don’t mind seeing them on buildings like the back of Canberra Theatre or even the Canberra Centre carpark. I mostly filter them out anyway.

If we were to litter them down Northbourne Av then we risk losing our image of The Bush Capital. Then we will have to recast our votes for next year’s number plate slogan. Perhaps it could read ‘losing our identity’.

But surely billboards will make Canberra more ‘vibrant’.

Chris Endrey said :

dungfungus said :

I can’t believe that no one has mentioned the mobile billboards AKA ACTION busses.

I think this is unfair, I recently saw a daytime ACTION bus with as many as some passengers.

It must have been one without sign-writing then because the ones with the windows covered with advertising make it impossible to see inside.

For all we know, the passengers (if any) could be have been nude!

Chris Endrey10:34 am 20 Jun 17

dungfungus said :

I can’t believe that no one has mentioned the mobile billboards AKA ACTION busses.

I think this is unfair, I recently saw a daytime ACTION bus with as many as some passengers.

I can’t believe that no one has mentioned the mobile billboards AKA ACTION busses.

David Jukes said :

We are facing a growing problem of motor vehicle driver distraction. Please don’t give driver’s another excuse to take their eyes off the road!

I don’t really accept that advertisers believe they will attract they eyeballs of light rail passengers who will probably be focused on smartphones, books and more immediate concerns.

When was the last time you rode on a tram? Passengers generally stand and this is the “immediate concern” as hands are needed to grab a strap or a rail. This makes it virtually impossible to do the other things you alluded to.

And on the subject of the tram, aren’t the enclosures surrounding the construction areas adorned with advertising about the project? Why is this different to a billboard?

CanberraStreets9:21 am 20 Jun 17

How big does a roadside advertisement have to be to stop being a legal-ish placard (like the rash of voting advisories that appear near election times) and become an illegal billboard?

Billboards look horrible! Let’s keep them out of Canberra. I’m sure the government will cash in on advertising down the side of the trams.

Stephanie Lopez8:39 am 20 Jun 17

No, no, no, no! Chris – I think you are onto something there – love the slogan #KeepCBRNude

I just can’t see how there is any benefit to Canberra to allow billboards. Even earning money from allowing them is a pittance compared to other revenue streams. The unfortunate side effect of Capitalism is things that make money are good and things that don’t make money are bad and the cost and value to society is often under or over valued to suit those with a vested interest. Its partly why a CBA of the NBN or light rail is almost impossible to do, because what one person values highly is what another person thinks is unimportant.

But surely even in Canberra we all agree billboards are not needed and would not raise enough money for them to even justify their existence.

We are facing a growing problem of motor vehicle driver distraction. Please don’t give driver’s another excuse to take their eyes off the road!

I don’t really accept that advertisers believe they will attract they eyeballs of light rail passengers who will probably be focused on smartphones, books and more immediate concerns.

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