Election signage

The relevant legislation to control the effects from signage is the partially operative Dunedin City Second Generation District Plan (2GP). Rule 4.3.2.11 of the 2GP provides for election signage as a permitted activity throughout the city, subject to compliance with the ‘number, location and design of temporary signs’ performance standard (Rule 4.5.7). Signs that contravene the performance standard will require a resource consent as a restricted discretionary activity.

The District Plan rule does not control the content of the signage.

4.5.7 Number, Location and Design of Temporary Signs

Figure 4.5.7.1A: Signs attached at an angle to the façade

Figure 4.5.7.2A: Election signs

In respect to power, Aurora Energy are the agency with responsibility for the network in and around Dunedin and Mosgiel. PowerNet look after the network for much of the rural area and the townships of Middlemarch and Waikouaiti. Information obtained from these companies in relation to the location of power cabling is summarised in the table below:

Plans of the power services in the vicinity of the affected sites have been obtained by the Council for the Aurora Energy network and are posted on the Council’s website http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/. Any questions about the details depicted including the type, depth underground and other information about the cables should be directed to the power companies. The offices are located at 10 Halsey Street, telephone 0800 22 00 05. Please refer to www.beforeudig.co.nz for additional information on the location of cables, pipes and other utility assets in and around any site where you want to erect a sign.

The contact for PowerNet is telephone (03) 211 1899. The website address is http://www.powernet.co.nz/.

It should be noted that telecommunication companies have separate networks and new networks are being established. While these services are less hazardous than power cables City Planning has been advised that they are generally closer to the surface than power lines. Damage to fibre optic cables may result in considerable expense for repairs and may present a health and safety risk. The Council does not have records on telecommunications that may be present within election sign sites. OSH guidance on safety in relation to underground services including fire optic cable is available from http://www.osh.dol.govt.nz/order/catalogue/ipp/ underground.pdf

This information is valid at July 2022. Please take care when installing election signs.

Authorisation to place structures in coastal marine areas (foreshore and seabed) within the Dunedin City Council area is controlled by the Otago Regional Council. This includes boat sheds and slipways etc. and any advertising on those structures.

Any candidate wanting to place campaign signage within a coastal marine area within the DCC boundary should contact the Otago Regional Council - ph (03) 474 0827.

Queries regarding content of election signs including authorisations are to be made to the Electoral Officer.

The Electoral Officer will make a candidate aware of any campaign material that does not have an appropriate authorisation.

Queries regarding the placement, size, construct, size of lettering or non-compliant hoardings are to be made to council’s resource management department.

Such complaints may result in the sign being removed by council staff.

The guideline objectives are to minimise the potential for road crashes arising from drivers being distracted by indiscriminate installation of electioneering signs and to ensure consistency of application of NZTA policy on such signs with minimal involvement by NZTA.

With this in mind there are some fundamental considerations to make when erecting electioneering signs adjacent to state highways. These are:

In rural areas (where speed limits are 70km/h or above):

• Signs should be located off the highway reserve. You will, of course, need to consult with property owners and the appropriate local authority to gain any necessary consent.
• If the sign requires resource consent, approval will likely be required from Waka Kotahi as an affected party under Section 95 of the Resource Management Act, your local authority will be able to advise on this.
• Signs must not be reflectorised or erected in such a location that will create an obvious conflict with existing road signs.
• Signs must not imitate or be of a form similar to any traffic signs. (This is a legal requirement in terms of the Land Transport Act 2003.)
• The location of signs must give consideration to visibility and other traffic safety aspects.
• Signs must be located at least 100m from intersections, bends in the highway and from other regulatory signs
• Signs are not permitted on or adjacent to motorways.
• For the above noted safety reasons, vehicle mounted signs situated on State Highways are not permitted.

In urban areas (where speed limits are 70 km/h or less) you should seek the local authority’s approval for erection of signs within or adjoining the road reserve.

For the North side of the Caversham site signs must be placed behind the gardened area.

Signs erected on rural State highways in a location or manner likely to cause distraction or danger to road users may be removed by Waka Kotahi or its agents without prior notice. Where a sign is removed the party will then be advised of the action taken and that the sign may be redeemed for a fee of $50 to cover Waka Kotahi costs.

If you have any further queries, please contact Jude Ward, Waka Kotahi on (03) 964 2813 or jude.ward@nzta.govt.nz.