By Ethan Benedicto
With votes being counted and post-election celebrations underway, the City of Casey stated that no permits for electoral signage have been issued throughout the entire election period.
This comes as Casey confirmed with The Age that over 300 corflutes have been removed since the federal election announcement, as president of the Casey Residents Ratepayers Association, Brian Oates, called their overabundance a “war of corflutes”.
According to Casey’s manager of connected communities, Callum Pattie, he confirmed that the over 300 figure contained “illegally placed signs”, and that council officers were aware of them.
“Candidates and parties may receive fines of $296 per sign that breaks the law,” Pattie said.
“Trucks with political material have also been given notices, and if they don’t comply, the vehicles will be towed away.”
According to Clause 36(2) of the Casey Community Local Law 2023, a person must not, except if they have a permit, place any electoral signage on any road or council land.
This rule also applies to vehicles – such as the mentioned trucks – that are wrapped in election material and also parked in prominent places to advertise a candidate or political party.
Trucks and or vehicles that are driving around are not breaking the law, but if they are instead parked and used as a sign, it is only then that it becomes an offence and is grounds for council officers to take action.
“Officers continue to patrol and remove these signs where it is safe to do so,” Pattie said.
“They have also visited polling stations within the municipality to remove signs, talked to electoral candidates, and worked with the onsite AEC managers.
“Signs placed on private land with the owner’s permission are not breaking the law.”
