February 3, 2021
The South Burnett Regional Council appears certain to approve new designs for street signs later this month.
However, a full regional roll-out of the signs will likely take many years.
On Wednesday, Council’s Infrastructure Standing Committee was told the design of the South Burnett’s street signs had not been updated since the 2008 amalgamation.
This meant current signs were a mix of styles inherited from the former Murgon, Wondai, Kingaroy and Nanango Shire Councils, which were all slightly different.
Officers suggested several options for standardising them, along with roundabout signs, to give the South Burnett’s street signage a more professional appearance.
In response to Budget concerns, officers noted the cost of changing the signs could be minimal.
They said if Council only replaced old signs with newer ones on an “as needed” basis when signs reached their end of life, or when they had been scheduled for an update, there would be no substantial extra cost involved.
Councillors gave the idea unanimous approval, but the final designs aren’t expected to be chosen until the topic comes to the next General Meeting on February 24.
Hopefully a more vandal proof sign is now available. The photo in the article is an example of one of the many signs that have been damaged across the South Burnett by inconsiderate, disrespectful persons in our community.
Do we need the expense of street signs on every corner when everything is on Google maps or GPS? Maybe just at start or end of a street. Then there is less to vandalise or names to collect.
Hey – could somebody come up with a costing please? How much is the full cost of a signpost and everything!? How much extra for all the equipment and people needed for a full erection?
What is the cost of a sign that needs to be replaced because of “whatever”? What is the costing for the work to replace said sign?
If these costs were widely known it may stop vandalism to a certain extent and it sure would give the rate-paying public real good reason to keep a watchful eye out and not just “look the other way” when something suspicious looks to be happening.
I’m serious about wanting these figures and the Council – if they are serious – should publicise the figures and show the public that they do care, if only just a bit!
Re the new designs, my personal preference would be for Option 1 as I consider 3 and 4 really are not that suitable; I take it there would be a small degree of reflectivity in the signs as in the Rural Addressing signs that were installed in Murgon Shire many years ago (they are still the best presented and set up R.A. signs that I have seen anywhere). The EHO and his blokes put in a big effort that really paid off.
In 2013, former Mayor Wayne Kratzmann estimated the cost of repairing a vandalised street sign as between $300 and $400 – and this cost is probably higher now:
https://southburnett.com.au/news2/2013/04/15/throw-the-book-at-vandals/
It would be really nice if the public were asked for feedback and their preferences. My opinion is:
Number One is for somewhere that has lots of green pasture as in high rainfall areas. Or maybe grows a lot of peppermint. Number Two is bland and the colour less then pleasing. Number Four just looks like the top borderline has been forgotten. Meanwhile, Number Three depicts our council colours and has symmetry.
Councillors, please choose option 3.
Please fix the roads first… they are horrendous