Archive:   Signs at Kyneton

Last Updated  26/8/06

VCAT Says Real Estate Advertising Sign On Freeway Exit Ramp Will Help People Find Kyneton

(12/7/06 - P)  Without it, there's apparently no way of knowing when you're at Kyneton

Council's decision to refuse an 4.8 metre by 2.4 metre advertizing sign, for a housing development, at the Kyneton's Bourke Street freeway interchange has been overturned by VCAT member A. J. Quirk, who ruled that if the sign says Kyneton, it "will be useful".   The permit applicant's representative argued the sign would add to the sense of place and sense of arrival at Kyneton.  Mr. Quirk agreed. Here's what Mr. Quirk said in his 26 June 2006 decision:

"From that perspective I agree with him [permit applicant], the word Kyneton should either be above “Bluestone Rise” or below it leading “a better place to live”.  At the hearing I discussed the gateway issue with Mr. Gorman [Council] and indicated that, while I understood the Council’s attempt to create a gateway, the stone walls without any indication of their meaning or any signs to assist in identifying it as a gateway, did not provide what one might expect that is a strong indication that this is the gateway.  From that perspective I agree with Mr. Atkins [for the permit applicant] that it is important to define that gateway clearly.

The sign itself is to be placed in a situation where it has some background of vegetation although this could be beefed up significantly.  It is to be only erected for some two years while the estate is growing and being developed.  From that perspective it is not an unusual sign to place in a situation away from the land, particularly when people from afar may be looking for the land and need to make a decision quickly as they are coming off the Freeway at Caroline Chisholm Drive. The road leading to the estate is immediately at the bottom of the Freeway ramp.  From that perspective, I believe the sign will be useful and provided it does contain the words “Kyneton” as an indicator that this is the gateway to the town, I believe it is appropriate to grant a permit."  VCAT Reference No. P729/2006, Permit Application no. P205/0318

MRRA Says:

Don't ask us, we can't fathom the logic on this one either...  Makes you wonder how thousands of vehicles every year have successfully found Kyneton, doesn't it?