ACT government to meet with real estate industry to discuss signage regulations

The government has enforced a removal direction on a non-compliant sign in Canberra's inner north and wants to meet with the Real Estate Institute of the ACT (REIACT) to discuss the regulations.

Real estate signs are covered under the Public Unleased Land (Movable Signs) Code of Practice 2019.

Currently, the code states real estate signs may be either A-frame construction or in the form of a board mounted on wooden stakes. Signs must not exceed 900 by 1200 millimetres, can not be constructed of sheet metal and must be stable in windy conditions.

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But if you were to drive around Canberra streets today, you'd be hard-pressed to find a sign that complies, according to LJ Hooker Canberra Group's Matthew Herbert, who will also attend Thursday's meeting on behalf of the industry.

"I don't think I've seen anything that's in line with what is currently permitted for a very long period of time," he said.

The discussions come after a removal direction was placed on a real estate sign located at 19 Currong Street, Reid on October 23.

A spokesperson for the ACT government's Transport Canberra and City Services division said the notice was issued when "a proactive inspection of the sign by an authorised officer found the sign was non-compliant with the maximum dimensions, was constructed of sheet metal, and secured by metal posts, all of which are breaches of the code".

"The ACT government is working with ACT (REIACT) to assist real estate agents in making signage compliant," the spokesperson said.

Mr Herbert said many agents have moved away from plastic signs for safety reasons.

"Little corflute (plastic) signs on timber stakes are very hard to drive into the ground and most of them took off in the wind. So they were impractical and dangerous, and weren't fit for purpose," he said.

In the past, plastic signs were often vandalised and set on fire, Mr Herbert said, leading some agencies to opt for steel signage.

"They were just hazardous and from our perspective, we certainly don't want to leave something in someone's front yard that potentially could cause us a liability," he said.

"So it's time for a review and for legislation to reflect what's practical and safe."

Steel signage also has the potential to be reused and recycled, Mr Herbert added.

REIACT CEO Michelle Tynan said real estate signage has progressed significantly since the regulations were first introduced in 2013.

"We always have to be progressive and understand the changing needs of industry and consumers," she said.

Ms Tynan hopes the meeting with government will result in "some amendments to regulations that [reflect] the changes in the role of advertising and marketing by signage".

Ms Tynan said she hasn't been made aware of any public concerns regarding real estate signage.

"In terms of consumer issues, I've never had anyone complain to me about signage but from an industry perspective, we see a lot of vandalism of signage and there seems to be no recourse for industry or vendors who actually pay for that signage," she said.

Both agree outdoor signage remains a crucial part of property marketing, even in an digital age.

"Most owners who are selling a property would want something that's easily seen to bring attention to the property for sale and make it easy for someone to find the property," Mr Herbert said.

"People drive past a house and may not have been considering a change of address but they see a property for sale and it may instigate that process where they consider upgrading or moving. So yes, it does play a vital role in marketing," Ms Tynan said.

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