Regulation of Outdoor

Planning development approvals

Most roadside outdoor media structures are regulated via a range of state and local government planning laws and policies.  These differ between Australian States and Territories and are often updated to accommodate changes in outdoor media design and technologies (eg. electronic signage). Some outdoor media structures need also to comply with specific requirements of other regulatory bodies, such as road authorities, although these are generally managed through the one planning approval process.

Legislation often prescribes when and what approvals are required to either construct a new outdoor media structure, continue operation of an existing structure once a permit has expired, or make changes to an existing structure.  Applicants may be required to deal with a number of different government agencies throughout the processing of their applications. 

Some outdoor media operators are contracted by local councils or government agencies to sell or lease outdoor media space.  These include in the provision of bus/tram shelters, kiosks, pedestrian bridges and other public infrastructure where the installation, maintenance and cleaning of the structures are funded entirely through the operations of outdoor media.

Members of the OMA must abide by all statutory regulations as stated in the Association's Code of Ethics.

Advertising content

The advertising content that is placed on outdoor media structures is not owned by outdoor media operators although they have a responsibility to ensure it does not infringe any laws or causes offense.

Nor is advertising content regulated by government, although some agencies do provide content guidelines for outdoor media structures that exist on public property. 

Content of all advertising is managed through the self-regulatory body of The Advertising Standards Board which meets regularly to consider advertising complaints across all media. 

Complaints

Members of the community wishing to complain about the content of any outdoor media advertisement need to lodge their complaint in writing with The Advertising Standards Board (ASB).  

OMA Members abide fully by the decisions of the ASB and will remove content if a complaint is upheld by the Board.

Written complaints should be directed to:

Advertising Standards Board, Level 2, 97 Northbourne Avenue, Turner, ACT 2612

www.adstandards.com.au

Tel:  (02) 6262 9822

Fax: (02) 6262 9833