Changes to planning rules
Chapter 3 of State Environmental Planning Policy (Industry and Employment) 2021 sets out planning controls for advertising and signage in NSW. The SEPP requires signage to be compatible with:
- the future character of an area
- provide effective communication in suitable locations
- be of high quality design and finish.
Further the SEPP regulates signage, provides time-limited consents, regulates the display of advertising in transport corridors, and ensures that public benefits may be derived from advertising in and adjacent to transport corridors.
Changes were made in late 2017 to improve road safety and reduce driver distraction through State Environmental Planning Policy No. 64 – Advertising and Signage (Amendment No 3) and updated Transport Corridor Outdoor Advertising and Signage Guidelines (November 2017). View the SEPP (PDF, 139 KB) and the updated guidelines (PDF, 1.4 MB).
Changes in the SEPP include:
- banning advertisements on parked trailers on roads, road shoulders, footpaths and nature strips, excluding advertising associated with the primary use of the trailer, e.g. tradies trailer, and public authorities
- requiring consent for displaying signage on trailers parked on private land in view from roads, road shoulders, footpaths and nature strips
- allowing advertising in transport corridors permissible with consent from the Planning Minister or delegate, across NSW; and
- minor updates to clauses, terms and definitions.
The change to ban trailer advertising came into effect on 1 March 2018. All other changes came into effect on 29 November 2017.
Why have these changes occurred?
The changes to planning rules for outdoor advertising and signage will improve road safety and reduce driver distractions. During consultation, safety and amenity concerns were raised about roadside advertising trailers blocking motorists’ vision and distracting drivers. By reducing the types of roadside trailer advertising currently on our roads, we’ll minimise risks to drivers.
Allowing advertising in transport corridors will provide funding for transport agencies and councils to deliver public benefit programs, such as road safety improvements, better public transport services and improvements to public amenity.
What are the penalties for parked trailer advertisements?
The changes introduced $1500 fines for individuals and $3000 for businesses who advertise on trailers parked on roads, footpaths, nature strips and road shoulders or where trailer advertising is displayed on private land, without development consent. Local council will issue the fines.
The new penalty notice offences (PDF, 77 KB) were introduced through the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation (Penalty Notices for Parked Trailer Advertisements) Regulation 2017.
Transport Corridor Outdoor Advertising and Signage Guidelines
The updated guidelines outline best practice for the planning and design of outdoor advertisements in transport corridors and complement the provisions of SEPP 64. Amendments to the guidelines address digital signage and reduce driver distraction.
More information
- View the Transport Corridor Outdoor Advertising and Signage Guidelines (PDF, 1.4 MB)
- View Chapter 3 of State Environmental Planning Policy (Industry and Employment) 2021
- View the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Penalty Notices for Parked Trailer Advertisements) Regulation 2017 (PDF, 77 KB).
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Page last updated: 08/03/2023