Councillors David Roenfeldt, Helena Greenwell and Katie Little have tabled a notice of motion requesting electoral campaigning reform for Local Governments in response to the conduct of the 2025 Federal Election.
Councillors are being asked to vote on the following motion:
That Council:
- Endorse its current policy of ‘zero tolerance’ in relation to electoral material displayed in and/or on public land.
- Write to the State and Federal Ministers responsible for Elections expressing the need for electoral campaigning reform, including consistent campaign rules governing the erection of signage on public property for all Australian Councils.
- Write to the Federal and State Electoral Commissioners requesting that they liaise with Council to review current rules and regulations governing electoral campaigning and in particular campaign rules around the erection of signage on public property and at polling booths.
- Write to the Mayors of City of Parramatta, City of Ryde, North Sydney, Hunters Hill and Willoughby seeking their support for electoral campaigning material reform.
- Include a motion at LGNSW Conference requesting more consistent regulation regarding the rules permitting election campaign signage.
- Make a submission to the Federal Standing Committee on Electoral Matters regarding the challenges
- Staff prepare a report for consideration at a Council workshop in relation to the conduct of campaigning during elections in the Lane Cove LGA. The report includes but not limited to the following;
- Estimates of the amount of illegally placed political material during the recent Federal Election.
- Advise of the impacts on the day-to-day functions of the Council regulatory team in dealing with these issues
- Ensuring the use of sustainable materials
- Banning the use of plastic roll signage (bunting)
- Limiting the quantity of signage allowed on polling booths
- Provides advice in regard to enforcement action and penalties available to Council
On Lane Cove Chat by ITC during the last Federal Election campaign, there were numerous posts about the number of corflutes being used in the 2025 campaign.
Notice of Motion Consistent with Lane Cove Council’s Sustainability Record
Last year, Lane Cove Council ‘s sustainability efforts were recognised at the Local Government NSW Excellence in Environment Awards, where Lane Cove took out three Awards, including the prestigious Local Sustainability Award.
Held annually, the Excellence in the Environment Awards recognise outstanding achievements by NSW local government in managing and protecting the environment.
Last year, Lane Cove Council was awarded:
- Category winner for the Towards Net Zero Emissions Award for our programs to reduce emissions
- Winner of the Innovation in Planning Policies and Decision-Making Award for our sustainability review of our DCP
- Overall winner of the Local Sustainability Award for our work in implementing sustainability and striving for a sustainable future for our community.
Corflutes Who Wants Them?
In 2025 Andrew Hughes,from the Australian National University published an article in the Conversation entitled: Democracy on display or a public eyesore? The case for cracking down on election corflutes
In this article he notes:
“In my time researching political advertising, one common communication method that often generates complaints is the proliferation of campaign corflutes.
Politicians love them. Not so, many members of the general public. People are so fed up with candidate posters that there are numerous tales of late night vandalism, including deliberate acts of road rage aimed at destroying them.
And yet, at every single election – local, state and federal – the hated signs spring up once again to populate front gardens, streetscapes and open spaces.
Given how divisive they are, why do politicians persist with them? What are the laws around their use? And is South Australia on the right track by banning corflutes in public places?”
What are the rules?
All corflutes (and other election campaign material) must include a written and authorised statement. However, the Australian Electoral Commission does not have any rules or guidelines on the number of corflutes that can be used, where they can be placed or their size.
There is other legislation which impacts where corflutes can be displayed.
Election signs and other electoral materials cannot be displayed in public places, including:
- Public roads, footpaths, and nature strips
- Power poles and other public infrastructure
- Motor vehicles (leaving leaflets on cars is considered littering and may result in fines)
- Footpaths or public places (A-frame signs and advertising boards are not permitted)
Council rangers have the authority to issue fines for unauthorised advertising and littering offences. By following these guidelines, you can show your support while ensuring compliance with local regulations.
There is also specific legislation around posting corflutes on power poles.
Posting signs on power poles and other network equipment is prohibited as it breaches safety standards. Several pieces of legislation prohibit signs on powers poles including the Electricity Supply Act 1995, Electoral Act 2017, and the Graffiti Control Act 2008.
South Australia’s Approach to Corflutes
In 2024, South Australia banned posters/corflutes on public infrastructure, though they are still permitted on private property.
No more than 12 electoral advertising posters/corflutes may be exhibited by or with the consent of any candidate (or, for a group of candidates, by or with the consent of the member whose name is at the top of the ballot group) within 50 metres of any entrance to a polling booth open for polling.
Have Your Say on This Notice of Motion
It will be interesting to see if Lane Cove Councillors support this notice of motion.
If you would like to have your say on this notice of motion, the Lane Cove Council May 2025 Meeting will be held on Thursday, 19th June 2025, at 7.00 pm.
Residents can write to councillors about the electoral campaign agenda item or any issue. If you use the email address – [email protected], your email will go to all councillors.
Council meetings are live-streamed and viewable via the webcast on this website.
You can also attend the Lane Cove Council meeting in person. The Council chambers are located on the ground floor of the Lane Cove Civic Centre 48 Longueville Road Lane Cove.
Public members can address the councillors for a time limit of three minutes per person (in-person or virtually) during the public forum segment of the Ordinary Council Meeting. Register by using the online form no later than midnight, on the day prior to the Ordinary Council Meeting.
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Thank You
Thank you to the In the Cove team, our advertisers, roving reporters and everyone who stops our founder, Jacky Barker, on the street and tells her how much In the Cove has helped them learn more about where they live.
