Roads & Traffic Authority
The RTA Southern Region may allow the display of banners on selected bridges over roads classified under the State Roads Act if the intent of the banner is to promote community services and/or road safety. The RTA does not allow the advertising of alcohol or political statements. Community service is defined as an event or activity which is non-commercial or non-profit making and which is offering community benefit.
Not all bridges are suitable for the display of messages and advice should be sought from the RTA as to the suitability of a particular site before a formal application is made. Many groups seek display opportunities on RTA bridges. Thus to equitably share this resource a limit to the number of sites and duration of display per promotion is applied as a general principle. A limit of 2 weeks and two sites per promotion is considered equitable.
Particular attention should be paid to the banner dimensions. If any of the conditions under which the RTA has given approval to display be contravened, the RTA reserves the right to remove the banners at any time during their display. The conditions under which approval may be given are documented on the following two pages and must be agreed to in writing. Any correspondence or enquiries relating to banners should be addressed to:
Donna Binns
Communications Branch
71-77 Kembla Street
Wollongong East NSW 2521
Phone: 02 4221 2417 or Fax: 02 4227 3705
1 - Liability
* The organisation wishing to display the banner accepts responsibility for any claim for accidents or other happenings arising from the use of the Authority's structure.
* Evidence of the organisations Public Liability Insurance of a minimum value of $10 million with interests of the Roads and Traffic Authority noted must be provided before the banner is hung.
2 - Design and layout of the banner
* Single commercial advertising is not permitted, a logo of a sponsor or its organisation may be incorporated in the banner design.
* A logo of the sponsor is to be a maximum of 10% of the total space on the banner. If several sponsor logos are to be included then the maximum space is to be no more than 15% of the total banner space. Please note that the intention of allowing the display of the banners is to promote the community service and not a commercial enterprise.
* The caption is to be succinct. As a guide, the message must be limited to a maximum of 70 characters.
* 250mm is the minimum lettering height to be used in the banner design. It is important in terms of safety that the message can be easily read by the motorist.
* The proposed design must be forwarded with the letter seeking permission to display banners on nominated dates and specific sites. To ensure that a balance is achieved, the layout should include:
- dimensions of banner,
- proposed size of letters,
- placement of messages, and
- placement of logos
3 - Construction
* Banners are to be constructed of a sturdy material such as PVC or canvas that will not tear in the wind and thereby present a hazard to traffic.
(TYVEK is not an acceptable material for the construction of banners)
* Banners must include air holes of not less than 12cm diameter at 300cm centres.
* Banners should be attached to the rails with individual ropes and chains through each eyelet. All chains and rope are to be plastic coated to ensure that rails are not damaged. Islets need to be made larger than normal for the chains to fit through them.
* The width of the banner must be between 900-1000mm to fit within the top and bottom rail on the hand rail.
* The length of a banner should be a minimum length of 5 metres and a maximum of 18 metres.
* Promoters must however, check each site to determine which banner size will suit each site, as bridges are not uniform.
4 - Attachment and removal
* Erection of the banner is the responsibility of the organisation which wishes to display the banner. The banners should be inspected every day to monitor their security and condition.
* Banners shall not be placed such that they will cover any road sign or fixed sign on the bridge. Nor should any fixed sign be moved or altered in any way.
* All banners must be securely fastened to the bridge with a padlock style bicycle chain in each corner.
* Two banners should not be attached to the bridge.
* The banner must be removed by the organisation which displayed the banner by the specified date.