RSL ‘powerless' to stop billboard beside Sydney war memorial
A large billboard across the street from a commemorative garden that honours Australia's war veterans has been labelled a 'visual eyesore' by critics in the latest row over public advertising signs placarding Sydney's suburbs.
A surge in outdoor advertising material – including on the sides of bus stops, rail bridges and buildings — is sparking concerns from community groups and councils over impacts to public amenity, road safety and the 'commercialisation' of public areas.
On Sydney's north shore, Willoughby Council says it has been left 'disappointed and deeply concerned' after losing a long-running fight to stop Transport for NSW from installing the electronic billboard on the side of a railway bridge close to the Garden of Remembrance in Chatswood.
While Transport for NSW has pledged to turn off the digital billboard during Anzac and Remembrance Day ceremonies, Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor wants the sign to be relocated, saying the council will 'not tolerate' the site 'being marred by the neon lights of advertising'.
Chatswood RSL sub-branch president Barney Flanagan said committee members had been 'powerless' to stop the billboard's installation from going ahead due to its location on a state government-owned site.
Willoughby Council is not the only council embroiled in a billboard battle. The City of Sydney last year was forced to spend $325,000 removing large street advertising signs in response to community concerns over the size of the signs and impacts on pedestrians.
Similar billboards proposed on footpaths in the North Sydney Council area have also faced community backlash, with public submissions calling the signs 'visual pollution'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Public transport fares are set to increase on public transport in Sydney
Public transport users in Sydney will soon fork out more for their trips as Opal fares are set to increase. From July 14 most fares will be adjusted in line with the annual consumer price index movement. This means an average increase of 2.5 per cent across Opal fares and single trip tickets. Adult customers will have a new daily travel cap of $19.30 between Monday and Thursday, and $9.65 between Friday and Sunday, and on public holidays. That is an increase of 60c on weekday travel and 30c on weekends. The cap for children and concession card holders will jump to a daily weekday cap of $9.65, while the weekend and public holiday cap will hop up to $4.80. That increase is 30c on weekdays and 15c on weekends. Airport travellers will also face an increase, with the station access fee increasing from $17.34 to $17.92 for adults — a 58c increase — and from $15.50 to $16.03 for kids, seniors and concession card holders — a 53c increase. The weekly airport travel cap of $35.16 for adults and $31.51 for kids and concession card holders will increase to$36.36 and $32.58 respectively. Weekly travel caps on the network will remained capped at $50 for adults and $25 for children and concession card holders, while seniors and pensioners with a Gold Opal card will still be charged no more than $2.50 a day. Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said the fare increases were necessary to help recover the cost of running the network. 'We've leveraged the discounts available to us to protect the hip pockets of those most reliant on our public transport system,' Mr Murray said. 'We've done our best to minimise the impact on passengers and the 14 July changes will see average weekly adult travel costs go up by an average of $0.50, and less than $1 for 99 per cent of passengers' Mr Murray said.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- News.com.au
24/7 McDonald's ruffles resident's feathers in Sydney's North Shore
A ritzy suburb is up in arms over a proposed 24/7 McDonald's. Crows Nest residents — on Sydney's North Shore — have hit back at a development application lodged by the fast food giant to convert a former Westpac bank into an around-the-clock operation. Sitting at 31 Willoughby Road, the $2.65 million development would include a complete internal transformation, the iconic golden arch signage, and external reconfigurations, all while becoming the fourth McDonald' s within a 2km radius. Longtime resident Jamie Vachon said it is not the outlet itself that is the concern, but the 24/7 operations, which he claims will bring 'security concerns, noise and trash'. 'My first reaction was that we don't need a McDonalds,' he told 'I've lived in Crows Nest since 2009, and in the North Sydney Council area since 2002. 'We have many locally owned restaurants that serve amazing burgers and such … but then again, we have an Oporto, Ogalo, Subway, and Grill'd so chain restaurants aren't new to the area,' Mr Vachon added. 'We were a bit shocked to learn that it was proposed to open in the previous Westpac branch, but when we learned that the proposal was for 24/7 operation, that's when I got active.' Upon reviewing the development application documents, Mr Vachon discovered North Sydney Council had already shut down the request for around-the-clock operations in pre-planning meetings – ignored by the McDonald's proposal, which reapplied to run 24 hours. 'There is nothing that operates those hours in Crows Nest and all businesses close by midnight, bar one, the Crows Nest Hotel,' he said. 'The location and hours are clearly designed to serve customers from that venue – the drunk and unruly customers.' Mr Vachon said there had been no community consultation from the fast food chain nor the council, having heard about the DA via word of mouth. 'It's not so much that it's a Maccas, it's the location and hours,' he added. 'The Crows Nest Hotel employs many security staff just to operate late and a McDonalds won't be set up to manage in the same way. 'It'll bring security concerns, noise, trash, and other issues to the area at a time when everything else is closed. 'As well, the area around Zig Zag Lane (which has been designated as the delivery and waste collection point) is notorious for rats and this will only make those problems far worse. 'Local businesses will have to deal with the fallout each morning because a large corporation just wants to muscle its way in and serve drunk people throughout the night.' These concerns were echoed by a local restaurant and bar owner, who asked to remain anonymous. He said a McDonald's in Crows Nest, a community he has been a part of for over a decade, is against 'what makes us special'. 'I felt even putting a McDonald's in with local owned businesses is completely against what I love about our community,' he told 'It's a step closer to becoming just like every other train station (suburb) in Sydney. 'I would like to see McDonald's stick to St Leonards and leave Crows Nest to what it does best. We are losing what made us special. 'There are enough McDonald's within a short distance.' The restaurateur said he had been working with other local businesses closely to oppose the development, citing concerns about vandalism and an increase in unruly clientele. 'I don't think it will impact my business financially but think it will increase vandalism and break-ins,' he added. 'Other businesses owners feel the same, the increase in delivery on bikes will cause accidents on footpaths and roads. 'At no time was anyone asked about this proposal and it is opposed by almost all owners in the area. 'The increase in bored teenagers that will gather looking for things to do will be looked at and we are talking about organising security for the first time – the security will be needed and change the friendly atmosphere of the area.' A petition started by Mr Vachon has already racked up close to 500 signatures. Forty-five submissions have been made to Council opposing the move. North Sydney Council said it recognises there are community concerns about the application. 'We will review and consider submissions made during the notification period, in accordance with s4.15 of the EP & A Act 1979,' a spokesperson told McDonald's Australia told it hoped to become a 'welcome member of the community'. 'We are continuing to work through the Development Application process with the North Sydney Council,' it said. 'McDonald's has been a part of North Sydney communities for more than 30 years, providing hundreds of local jobs and supporting local community groups. 'If approved, a Macca's in Crows Nest will create more than 100 new local jobs and create opportunities for community partnerships and sponsorships and involve an investment of approximately $2.6 million.' It refused to comment on North Sydney Council's dismissal of the proposed 24/7 operations. It's not the first time the fast food giant has tried to extend their presence in the area. In 2022, plans by McDonald's to permanently extend the opening hours of the St Leonards' outlet were shut down by disgruntled residents. The company stated the move would provide 'an ongoing essential service to the community', including those working at the nearby Royal North Shore Hospital and train passengers.
Sydney Morning Herald
21-06-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
RSL ‘powerless' to stop billboard beside Sydney war memorial
A large billboard across the street from a commemorative garden that honours Australia's war veterans has been labelled a 'visual eyesore' by critics in the latest row over public advertising signs placarding Sydney's suburbs. A surge in outdoor advertising material – including on the sides of bus stops, rail bridges and buildings — is sparking concerns from community groups and councils over impacts to public amenity, road safety and the 'commercialisation' of public areas. On Sydney's north shore, Willoughby Council says it has been left 'disappointed and deeply concerned' after losing a long-running fight to stop Transport for NSW from installing the electronic billboard on the side of a railway bridge close to the Garden of Remembrance in Chatswood. While Transport for NSW has pledged to turn off the digital billboard during Anzac and Remembrance Day ceremonies, Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor wants the sign to be relocated, saying the council will 'not tolerate' the site 'being marred by the neon lights of advertising'. Chatswood RSL sub-branch president Barney Flanagan said committee members had been 'powerless' to stop the billboard's installation from going ahead due to its location on a state government-owned site. Willoughby Council is not the only council embroiled in a billboard battle. The City of Sydney last year was forced to spend $325,000 removing large street advertising signs in response to community concerns over the size of the signs and impacts on pedestrians. Similar billboards proposed on footpaths in the North Sydney Council area have also faced community backlash, with public submissions calling the signs 'visual pollution'.
