Real estate signs could be banned from public land in parts of Sydney’s inner west amid a spike in complaints about corflutes causing “visual pollution” on nature strips, roads and roundabouts.
A proliferation of real estate signs in public areas has prompted Strathfield Council to investigate introducing new rules to stop agents placing advertising material including “pointer signs” spruiking open home inspections and auctions.
An example of real estate pointer signs that would be banned from public land by Strathfield Council. (Photo edited)
Strathfield Mayor John-Paul Baladi said the number of signs “littering” streets has fuelled a surge in complaints from residents about safety risks for pedestrians, visual clutter and the potential for signs to cause distractions to motorists.
“If you come to Strathfield on a weekend you see real estate agents littering their signs all over green spaces, roundabouts, roads, and it’s causing significant visual pollution,” he said.
“It’s one thing to put a sign outside a house, but it’s another thing to put signs every five metres on a stretch of a road.
“They’re on roundabouts, street corners, and often agents aren’t picking their signs up for days if not weeks on end.”
Strathfield Mayor John-Paul Baladi.
Baladi said public complaints had coincided with a recent boom in Strathfield’s property market.
“With sales hitting the $15 million mark there seems to be a desperation from agents about letting people know which properties are for sale,” he said.
