PHOTO:
🏘️The Sign War Begins: Sydney Mayor Goes After Real Estate Billboards
In an unprecedented move, Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale has officially declared war on real estate signs, calling them “visual pollution” and “a blight on our community.” His council has already dished out over $30,000 in fines to agents across Western Sydney who refuse to follow local rules around property sign placement.
“We’ve had enough. These signs are dumped on nature strips and left up for weeks after homes are sold. It’s lazy marketing, and we won’t tolerate it anymore,” says Mayor Bleasdale.
⚖️What Are the Rules Real Estate Agents Are Ignoring?
Under council bylaws in many Sydney districts, real estate signs are supposed to be:
-
Removed within 7 days of a sale
-
Not placed on public land or footpaths
-
Securely fixed to avoid becoming hazards
But Blacktown Council says many agents are ignoring these rules—deliberately or otherwise.
One agency was recently fined $3,000 for leaving a “For Sale” sign up more than a month after settlement. Others have been hit for placing signs on street corners, obstructing pedestrians and creating visibility risks for drivers.
📸“Ugly, Unnecessary and Unsafe”: The Public Speaks
Local residents are applauding the move.
“I’ve had one of those massive signs rotting outside my house for three weeks. No one picked it up. It looked awful and was half-fallen on the pavement,” said Blacktown homeowner Lisa Murray.
Community Facebook pages are full of similar stories. What was once considered harmless real estate marketing is now seen as lazy advertising at the public’s expense.
💰The Real Estate Industry Fights Back
Some agents are fuming, accusing the council of being overzealous.
“We’re just doing our jobs. Signs are a traditional part of marketing,” said one western Sydney agent, who declined to be named.
But with mounting fines and media attention, many are now scrambling to review their compliance protocols—especially in Blacktown, where the council has set up patrols specifically targeting signage infractions.
📊Is This the Start of a National Crackdown?
Other councils are watching closely. Urban planners in Parramatta, Penrith and even parts of inner Sydney are reportedly considering similar action.
If successful, Blacktown’s crackdown could set a precedent—forcing real estate agencies nationwide to rethink their signage strategies in a more digital, post-COVID property market.
“Just like we’ve moved to QR codes and online auctions, perhaps it’s time to move away from physical signs altogether,” says urban design expert Professor Mark Tunstall.
🔍The Bigger Picture: A Marketing Wake-Up Call?
This local skirmish may be about more than signboards. It’s a reminder that:
-
Marketing norms must evolve with community expectations
-
Councils have more power than agents think
-
And homeowners are increasingly vocal about protecting their neighbourhoods from “sign spam.”
🚨Final Word: Real Estate’s Old School Tactics Face a Modern Rebellion
If you’re a property agent still relying on those big corflute signs as your primary selling tool—you may want to think again. Councils like Blacktown are no longer turning a blind eye, and the penalties are adding up fast.
A simple signboard could now cost your business thousands.
SOURCE: SMH