The Queenstown Lakes District Council is seeking comment on a proposed Signs Bylaw, to be notified tomorrow (Wednesday), Mayor Clive Geddes said.

"Over the last three to four years there has been an increasing level of concern expressed by all sectors of our community in regard to the amount of signage people are putting on buildings," Mr Geddes said.

Queenstown's Shotover Street was a good example of signage having become a dominant feature detracting, rather than adding to the civic amenity.

The aim of the district-wide bylaw was to protect areas having amenity values from visual pollution and also to enable signs to provide public information with the least possible detrimental impact on landscape.

"The council decided to implement a bylaw rather than a plan change to keep things simple," Mr Geddes said.

A working party consisting of Councillors Kathy Neal, Sally Middleton, John Wilson and Rick Pettit was formed to develop the bylaw in conjunction with CivicCorp planner Tim Williams and lawyer Kevin Phillips.

The bylaw, once adopted, could have implications for existing signs, particularly illegal signage, whilst it was proposed that currently complying signs would be given a reprieve of five years.

"Clearly this bylaw needs to be very carefully considered by our business community but I would also like to encourage other members of our wider community to have their say," Mr Geddes said.

A full copy of the proposed bylaw and accompanying summary of information about the proposal could be viewed at the council?s Queenstown and Wanaka offices, at CivicCorp offices and libraries and on the council website www.qldc.govt.nz.

Public information sessions to clarify any questions would be held at Queenstown on October 19 from 5-7pm at the Council Chambers and at Wanaka on October 20 from 5-7pm at the Lake Wanaka Centre.

Submissions would close at 5pm on Thursday 10 November 2005, with a hearing to follow.

ENDS

For further information please contact Clive Geddes 03 441 0499.

By: Tamah