Moved by Councillor Ellsmore, seconded by
Councillor Weldon –
It is resolved that:
(A)
Council
note that:
(i)
light pollution
in cities has been identified as negatively impacting people’s health, and
native wildlife, particularly seabirds, bats, insects (including bogong moths)
and terrestrial mammals;
(ii)
in
addition to the human health and native wildlife impacts, illuminated
billboards contribute to visual pollution, energy use, and the
commercialisation of public spaces - which should be prioritised for free
access, recreation, enjoyment and community life for the City’s residents and visitors;
(iii)
Melbourne
City Council has recently announced that it is considering turning off large
digital billboards at night, because of the impacts on human health and the
environment. This follows a review commissioned by the Council that recommended
the introduction of a curfew for illuminated signs above ground level;
(iv)
a
growing number of international cities and towns have restricted the
positioning, content, size, brightness and number of electronic billboards. In
parts of Germany and Spain, electronic signage on billboards and in shop
windows must be turned off after 10pm. Dublin has reduced billboard use for
reasons of energy wastage and visual pollution; and
(v)
in
French cities including Rennes, Grenoble, Lyons and Paris, there have been
successful campaigns to halt the introduction of new digital advertising
billboards and replace existing ones with trees; and
(B)
the
Chief Executive Officer be requested to provide advice including:
(i)
how the
Council currently manages, monitors and reports on light pollution and visual pollution;
(ii)
the
number and cumulation of illuminated billboards and commercial advertising in
the City of Sydney; and
(iii)
opportunities
within Council’s planning instruments to reduce the number of illuminated
billboards and otherwise address light pollution, particularly outside of the
CBD in the City’s residential suburbs.
The motion
was lost on the following show of hands –
Ayes (1)
Councillor Ellsmore
Noes (9)
The Chair (the Lord Mayor), Councillors Chan, Davis, Gannon, Jarrett,
Kok, Scott*, Weldon* and Worling.
Motion
lost.
*Note –
Councillors Scott and Weldon abstained from voting on this matter. Pursuant to
the provisions of clause 10.4 of the Code of Meeting Practice, Councillors
Scott and Weldon are taken to have voted against the motion.
X086659