Election signs
Election signs are temporary, freestanding advertising devices that:
- identify candidates or promote a political party at local, state or federal government elections
or - relate to a referendum administered by the state or federal electoral commission.
Election signs must not:
- distract road users
- obstruct road users’ clear line of vision
- obstruct pedestrian or vehicle movement
- block official road signs
- otherwise cause a hazard to road users.
If you would like to place election signs on state-controlled roads you must complete a self-assessment for each sign.
The construction of temporary shelters, marquees, umbrellas or any other structure on state-controlled roads is not permitted.
If you have further questions about election signs please contact 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or your local roads office.
Self-assessment checklist
Electoral candidates and sign owners must meet all the criteria in this section (display period, construction, location, placement) and ensure they are consistent with local laws regarding election signs.
Complete this checklist for each election sign to be located on state-controlled road corridors. If you have any further questions about meeting the criteria, please contact your local roads office for further information.
Display period
For an election, the sign must:
- not be erected or displayed until the election date has been officially announced. For state and federal elections, this is called the 'issuing of the writ'. For local government elections, this is called the 'notice of election'.
- be removed within 7 days of the election polling day (or less, if required by the relevant local government).
For a referendum, the sign must:
- not be erected or displayed until the day after the referendum is officially announced. For state and federal referendums this is when the writ for the referendum is issued under referendum legislation.
- be removed within 7 days of the referendum polling day (or less, if required by the relevant local government).
Construction
The sign must:
- be no larger than 0.6m2
- be easily broken
- have a timber stake or frame that is easily broken with a maximum cross-section measurement of 55mm x 25mm
- be securely attached
- not rotate, be illuminated, or contain moving images
- not use reflective or fluorescent materials
- not resemble a traffic control device.
Location
The sign must:
- be freestanding
- be located next to, and parallel to, the property alignment
- be located at least 3.5m from the edge of the nearest traffic lane on roads where the speed limit is 80km/h or less
- be located at least 6m from the edge of the nearest traffic lane on roads where the speed limit is more than 80km/h
- not distract motorists, restrict sight distances on intersection approaches, obscure road traffic signs or otherwise affect safety
- not be located on traffic islands, centre medians or roundabouts
- not be attached to trailers or vehicles parked for the purpose of displaying election signs
- not be located on a motorway, freeway or similar road.
Placement
The sign must:
- be located as close as possible to the property boundary
- not be attached to trees, vegetation, or structures such as road signs, guardrails, light or power poles
- not hold up the flow of traffic, hang over the road or interfere with the road’s operation (including a person holding or waving an election sign)
- not obstruct pedestrians and cyclists
- not proliferate along a property boundary.
Compliance actions
The Department of Transport and Main Roads can take compliance action if an election sign creates a road safety or traffic efficiency problem on a state-controlled road.
Election signs must meet the self-assessment checklist criteria. If not, we may:
- remove the sign without notice
- contact the candidate or person and request that the sign is removed and relocated to a compliant location.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads does not permit election signs mounted onto vehicles and trailers for the sole purpose of election advertising, as it may present a road safety risk. We have no authority over the content of election signs. This is the responsibility of the relevant electoral commission.
Election signs must meet the requirements of the Australian Electoral Commission or the Electoral Commission of Queensland.
The electoral candidate or sign owner accepts liability for any claims arising from the placement of election signs.
Election signs on local government land or private property
Election signs located on private property and local roads are managed by local government. Election signs located on some state-controlled roads may also be managed by local government. To check the requirements for private property or local roads, contact your local government area.