Council rules out ads on public buildings

THERE has been much debate in recent weeks over whether public buildings should be used as spaces for advertising.

The Toowoomba Regional Council has ruled out allowing commercial advertising on its buildings.

Toowoomba Regional Council environment and community committee chair Cr Geoff McDonald said the council’s utilising a council asset

to promote an event or campaign policy effectively ruled out the use of council buildings for advertising commercial events.

The policy states “banners or signs will not be permitted to be displayed on council assets unless it forms part of the Christmas decoration display”.

“Council does, however, permit the promotion of not-forprofit organisations event through the illumination of the Victoria St Bridge and occasionally the City Hall building,” Cr McDonald said.

“City Hall is a heritage-listed building and it is unlikely that advertising on this or other publicly held iconic buildings would be considered a suitable use of the building.”

The debate started when the Sydney Opera House was forced by the New South Wales Government to display advertising for the Everest Horse Race on its sails, despite strong public opposition.

Opera House staff originally denied the request to advertise the race.

Following the outrage, Brisbane City Council refused to rule out allowing advertising on City Hall in Queensland’s capital.