I support additional…

I support additional enforcement activities in order to 'balance the potential for advertisement opportunities with driver distraction, aesthetic and environmental considerations, and the nature and location of appropriate advertising displays'.

I would recommend a significant reduction in the current number of billboards which are covered by this legislation. Specifics include;

- Remove standalone billboards on properties zoned as either agricultural, parkland, or crown land. These are a health and safety hazard, as the impede sightlines and reduce the visability of wildlife which may intend to cross the road (e.g. deer coming across a field and you can't see it in time to avoid it as the path has been obstructed by a billboard).
--> Ensuring billboards are restricted to commercial/residential space only also supports the mandate of aesthetic and environmental considerations.

- Remove billboards in disrepair. Again, these are a visual distraction which is hazardous to drivers, and detract from the aesthetic and environmental considerations.

- If it is decided to maintain billboards on agricultural/forest areas, require that there be an environmental impact assessment, particularly if they are lit. They contribute to light pollution, likely some physical pollution as the materials weather and leech into the ground, and have an unknown impact on local wildlife.

- Restrict the radius of the advertisement to the applicable area. I don't want to see 15 billboards for one restaurant 100km away. This is completely unnecessary.

Recommendation - physical advertising is dying and the above policy is becoming outdated. As advertising becomes increasingly digital there is no need for physical advertising to be marring the aesthetics of our travel any more than the minimum as would be found on already commercial properties.

[Original Comment ID: 196690]