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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 4 Hansard (25 June) . . Page.. 1164 ..

CHIEF MINISTER

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

QUESTION ON NOTICE 23

Sri Chinmoy Peace Capital Signs

Mr Stanhope - asked the Chief Minister in relation to the removal of the five Sri Chinmoy Peace Capital signs from the approach roads to Canberra.

1. Why were these five signs removed

I don't know why these signs were removed. I am advised that the signs were not removed by the ACT Government. When the situation was drawn to the attention of the Department of Urban Services in March 1996, the removal was reported to the AFP. The AFP concluded the signs were stolen by person(s) unknown.

2. Does the Government plan on taking steps to replace the signs.

No.

On 10 November 1995 the then Chief Executive of the Chief Minister's Department requested a review of visitor information on approach routes. Subsequently a discussion paper entitled "Visitor Information on Approach Routes" was released for public comment on 1 July 1996.

173 separate submissions were received by the due date of 30 August 1996. On 21 November 1996, the National Capital Authority approved the final version of the resulting policy paper on "Visitor Information on Approach Routes". I agreed to this policy paper on 27 January 1997. This included:

-the adoption of the "City Identity" and "Visitor Information" policies;

-the limitation of signage on the approach routes to official Commonwealth and Territory Government signage;

-the provision of a Welcome Sign offering a warm welcome to the National Capital, the Australian Capital Territory and the City of Canberra;

-the introduction of a City Identity Statement after the Border Statement;

-the limitation of the role of laybys to basic visitor information directing visitors to the Visitor Information Centre on Northbourne Avenue;

-the temporary provision of event signage in laybys on a needs basis; and

-the restriction of celebratory signage to the City Centre.

This had the effect of limiting the display of Sri Chinmoy Peace Capital Signs to the Visitor Information Centre.

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