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Sign-makers say thousands of Auckland businesses from banks to bookshops are in for a shock this week as they learn details of the Auckland City Council's proposed revised bylaw on signs.
Sign and Display Association members yesterday joined the outdoor advertising industry who make billboards in attacking the council's proposed tighter restrictions and new provisions for size and placement.
When the council decided last week to put out the plan for public consultation, billboard companies said it put up to 150 jobs and $70 million in revenue at stake.
Sign-makers say the plan will upset their trade too.
Jim Howie of Signpac said: "We are shell-shocked by this plan. Piles of customers will be affected but they don't know it yet. If they don't fight it they'll end up with signs, now legal, no longer complying."
He said the sign industry opposed the waste of customers' time and money on signs and permit fees to comply with the new bylaw.
A crackdown on free-standing signs meant people could pay up to $25,000 for a sign and then $5000 to the council for dispensation, which could take 3-6 months to be approved.
"The council says even if a sign was approved four to five years ago, it will allow only 18 months' grace to remove and replace the sign with a complying one," said Mr Howie.
Planning and regulatory committee chairwoman Glenda Fryer acknowledged the plan could mean significant changes for the industry.
"This week we will show shop owners what we are proposing and they will be able to make their submissions, opening January 15 to March 2, which gives them six weeks instead of the usual month."
Signage was supposed to be registered under the last revamp of bylaws seven years ago.
Roger Hawkins of Artcraft Signs said a five-year life for dispensations would increase costs. It would mean paying $1800 every five years to renew permission for a $700 banner.
Brian Fairchild of the association said: "A lot of businesses will need to get permission just to maintain the status quo."
Mr Howie said he had written to the mayor urging a bylaw that was workable and ended up on the council's signs advisory committee.
"We should sit down in a proper consultation with people who know what they are talking about - not a bunch of amateurs over-reacting to rubbish they have seen."
The council says many businesses should be able to move and reuse signs rather than throw them away.
Warning signs
* All signs above verandas will be prohibited.
* Business signage to be further restricted to an area based on street frontage and a selection of approved styles.
* All signs will have to comply with the new bylaw within 18 months of it coming into force.
* All dispensations for signs and billboards will last no longer than five years.
