General News
2 September, 2023
‘Glitter strip’ sign rejected
A 4.1sqm digital advertising sign proposed for a convenience store at Clifton Beach has been rejected by Cairns Regional Council to prevent the northern beaches becoming a Gold Coast glitter strip.
The sign, which was recommended by council officers and backed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads – subject to 31 conditions – was for the Night Owl store facing west towards the highway at the corner of Endeavour Rd.
But the majority of councillors knocked back the approval as they wage war on flash advertising signs.
Division 9 Councillor Brett Olds said it appeared officers had “worked really hard to get a yes on this one”.
“I’ve been screaming for about eight years, the northern beaches, the community, don’t want these signs out there, they don’t want a glitter strip,” he said.
He said there were two service stations plus a third approved at Clifton Beach with three stop lights within three kilometres.
Cr Olds said the new service station would want one of the digital advertising signs, then the Woolworths planned for Trinity Beach. He said the Endeavour Rd/Cook Highway intersection had been the scene of many traffic crashes, it was “dangerous” and the sign would be distracting.
He said the majority of residents in his division didn’t want suburbia encroaching on the area.
Cr Rhonda Coghlan said she was “very uncomfortable” with the DTMR advice because it was in conflict with previous advice. “However, I too feel it is a bridge too far. I love the natural amenity that we have all the way to northern beaches,” she said.
Cr Coghlan said the council had fought two service station applications under appeal, with part of the defence the natural rural amenity.
She questioned why the officers had recommended it and if the sign had been 1sqm smaller it would not have come before the council. Cr Coghlan said if “they had stuck to the rules we wouldn’t have an issue here”
“It’s a lovely drive all the way to Port Douglas. We don’t want to turn it into a Gold Coast glitter strip,” she said.
Cr Cathy Zeiger said there was a much bigger more distracting sign at the Barr St Markets at Earlville and questioned how that was approved.
Cr Max O’Halloran, Cr Terry James and Cr Rob Pyne voted for the sign but it was defeated by the other six councillors.
