Central Coast Council has defended its draft Flying of Flags policy as being in accordance with state and federal government protocols but is continuing to seek feedback from the community.
It has written a Draft Flying of Flags Policy, Draft Street Banner Policy, and Draft Street Banner Guidelines, which are on public exhibition until August 23.
Council Administrator, Rik Hart said that Council “proudly flies the Australian flag” but had a firm commitment to ensuring it is flown in compliance with state and federal government protocols.
“Our draft policy is also in accordance with the Australian Flags Booklet of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Premiers Department of NSW publication, Flags and Emblems of NSW,” Hart said.
“Council also has promotional banner infrastructure at various town centres and key roads which provide local community groups with an opportunity to promote and celebrate various community events, activities or significant occasions.
“Two separate policies were developed which balance and distinguish the significance of flying official flags and ensuring all relevant protocols are met, while providing opportunities for our various banner infrastructure to be widely utilised and accessible to the whole community.
“The Flying of Flags Policy, Street Banner Policy, and Street Banner Guidelines are designed to provide clarity to local community organisations, residents, and businesses regarding Council’s approach to the management of these assets.”
The debate over flag-flying and street banners intensified last week after Peninsula Chamber of Commerce President, Matthew Wales, said the Chamber would fight to regain the right to fly the Australian flag on light poles in Umina on special occasions, labeling the Council draft Flying of Flags policy “un-Australian”.
Wales reiterated his concern with the draft policy at the public forum ahead of the Council meeting on Tuesday, 26 July, highlighting that there were no flagpoles in the whole Umina Beach precinct.
Administrator Hart acknowledged the feedback and was surprised to discover Umina Beach had no flagpoles.
“I have asked Council Officers to investigate the feasibility of installing flag infrastructure in Umina Beach CBD,” Hart said in a subsequent interview with CCN.
“Throughout the development of these draft documents, Council officers engaged with a diverse range of key stakeholders including current banner infrastructure users, town centre businesses and business chambers and we’re keen to also hear from the broader community before these policies are finalised and adopted.”
The Draft Flying of Flags Policy proposes that flags will only be permitted to be flown on official flag poles, they will not be flown if damaged, faded or dilapidated and only at night when illuminated.
The Flying of Flags policy does not apply to Council’s leased facilities or leased open space areas.
The Draft Street Banner Policy and Draft Street Banner Guidelines propose a uniform approach across the whole region with clear design and content guidelines and specifications.
Council, through existing fees and charges, will manage installation and removal of all banners, removing the requirement for community groups to co-ordinate this themselves.
More information and public comment on the draft policies is available online at yourvoiceourcoast.com before August 23.
Sue Murray