Local small business operator, Matthew Bowden, aka the Vinyl Junkie, says he is shocked at a $1,500 Council fine after placing signage on the corner of Ewingsdale Road to direct record lovers to his recent Easter record fair at Ewingsdale Hall. He says he also received a $300 parking fine for a vehicle he had put a sign on.
Bowden told The Echo it was another successful event at Easter ‘that drew a great crowd of music lovers’.
‘Every day, I placed signage on the corner of Ewingsdale Road to direct record lovers to my event, which is slightly off the road and in need of directional signage.
‘Every day, I had signs removed and ended up paying a retrieval fee for signs, as well as a $300 parking fine for a vehicle I had put a sign on.
No warning for $1,500 fine
‘It was with shock when a week after my event, I found a $1,500 fine in my PO box. I am a small business owner, and have lived in the area for close to 20 years. Business at the moment isn’t easy. After hall hire, advertising costs, etc. a $1,500 is a massive fine, which came with no warning, or no consideration for what I do. It’s simply just kind of mean and petty’.
Mr Bowden says he has asked for the fine to be reviewed, ‘as I wasn’t given any warning’.
Given there is latitude for compliance officers to be flexible when fines are issued, as per the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, The Echo asked Council staff, ‘Why was there was no warning for these fines, as claimed by Mr Bowden?’
Acting Director Sustainable Environment & Economy, Sarah Nagel, replied, ‘Council does not generally comment on matters relating to specific individuals. Mr Bowden can contact NSW Revenue to seek further information about specific infringement notices, or he can call Council to talk to staff about the regulations relating to signage’.
‘Rules surrounding signage are outlined in the Development Control Plan (DCP) and councils in the Northern Rivers have similar policies in relation to signage on public land.
‘It is unlawful to place advertising signs on public land without approval, and these signs must be approved and in relation to community events or community notices relating to non-commercial activities. Council receives a lot of complaints about signage and the Enforcement team issues regular fines’.
Mr Bowden says it isn’t clear what the $1,500 fine was for.
He added that after speaking with Council staff, ‘they said the $1,500 fine still stands for my signage’.
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