Tag: City Rangers

Beach Emergency Numbers (BEN) Sign Program

The City of Joondalup has recently received funding to install 65 Beach Emergency Numbers (BEN) signs as part of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Beach Emergency Numbers (BEN) grants application program.

The Beach Emergency Numbers (BEN) program is a coding system designed to improve emergency incident response times of locating the closest beach access points by installing signs with unique numbers at beach access points. Provision of specific location information is vital when emergency services are deployed in the event of shark attacks or other beach emergencies and for reporting shark sightings.

The City encourages beach users to familiarise themselves with sign locations and to take note of the unique code associated with each location. Detailed maps of all sign locations and a Frequently Asked Questions document can be downloaded below.

Scenarios where users can reference BEN signs unique codes include:

  • When reporting shark sightings (contact Water Police on 9442 8600)
  • When reporting a beach emergency (contact Police on 000)

Note: Where possible, callers should wait at the beach access point until emergency service personnel arrive.

The City also encourages its residents and visitors to download the “Emergency+” app, which is a free app developed by Australia’s emergency services and their Government and industry partners. The app uses GPS functionality in smart phones to callers and provides critical location details required to mobilise emergency services.

Business signage: approval requirements

Commercial advertising signs and devices on private land are required to comply with the provisions of the City’s Advertisements Local Planning Policy.

Advertising signs on local government property and thoroughfares is regulated by the Local Government and Public Property Local Law 2014, which prohibits any commercial advertising within road verges and thoroughfares.

Planning requirements

The City’s Advertisements Local Planning Policy provides information on the planning requirements for commercial advertising, and sets out which advertising signs and devices on private land are exempt from approval, require the approval of the City, or are not permitted in various zones of the City. For more information on the policy, review the Frequently Asked Questions.

Unless exempted under the policy, an application for development (planning) approval is required for external signage, or signage that can be viewed externally from a premise.

For temporary signs that are exempted under the policy, an application for Written Planning Advice is required.

Please refer to the Development (Planning) Approval Requirements for application requirements.

Fees are in accordance with the Planning Services Fees and Charges.

Building requirements

All permanent signs (signs erected for longer than one month) require a building permit prior to construction. The following information is to be submitted as part of the building requirements:

There are two types of building permit applications:

  • Certified – an application that has been assessed by a private building surveyor and then lodged with the City for a building permit to be issued. Details of private building surveyors can be found on the Department of Mines, Industry, Regulation and Safety website.
  • Uncertified – an application where the assessment is carried out by the City for a building permit to be issued

Application requirements

Refer to the building permit application checklists for information that is required to be submitted with certified or uncertified building permits. Fees are in accordance with the Building Services: Fees and Charges.

Lodgement

You can lodge your application:

Online
Please refer to the City’s eApplication service.

In person
Visit the City of Joondalup Administration Centre, 90 Boas Avenue, Joondalup.

By post
Post your application to the City at PO Box 21, Joondalup WA 6919.

Community temporary signs application

Temporary sign applications are available to not-for-profit charitable, cultural, educational, recreational or community organisations.

Applications are required for community information temporary signs and must be submitted no less than 14 days prior to the event.

Each event is to be lodged as a separate application and includes a non-refundable fee of $30.00 for each application.

“Temporary Advertising Sign” stickers will be supplied by the City once the application is approved.

Organisations that do not receive approval from the City and proceed to erect signs will have their signs removed, and an infringement may be issued.

Portable signs

Portable signage placed in public areas or on footpaths can become a hazard to the public and are generally not permitted where:

  • The sign is likely to obstruct line of sight along a thoroughfare
  • It may create a hazard to any person using the thoroughfare.

Portable signage can include:

  • Home open signs
  • Visual message boards (VMBs)
  • Advertising signs*.

*Advertising signs are not permitted on footpaths, thoroughfares or any location within the City as they can create a hazard to the public.

Home open signs

Home open signs are considered by the City to be directional signage, used on the day of a home open, directing people to the listed premises.

Home open signs are:

  • Permitted from 9.00am on the day the property is open for inspection until one hour after the close of inspection time for this property
  • To include the address of the home open
  • To include the day and time of the home open.

Any longer period than this is considered advertising, not directional and may result in impounding of signs and infringements issued.

The portable direction sign must not be erected or placed:

(a) On a footpath; or

(b) In any location where, in the opinion of the local government, the sign is likely to obstruct a line of sight along a thoroughfare or create a hazard for any person using the thoroughfare.

An authorised person may remove or impound an advertising sign or portable direction sign that is in a thoroughfare or verge in contravention of this local law.

Vandalism to City property

Whilst on patrol City officers proactively look at City owned property and assets for any:

  • Damage
  • Vandalism
  • Graffiti

The City also receives reports from residents in relation to these types of incidents, which are then issued to the relevant City agency for attention.

Report graffiti

Reporting damage in the City

 

 

 

Rangers, Parking and Community Safety

Field Officers covers all 22 suburbs within the City of Joondalup Local Government area, performing a range of services to assist and benefit the local community.

The City can assist with issues such as:

  • Abandoned vehicles
  • Animal control and enquiries
  • Graffiti
  • Litter and dumping
  • Parking issues
  • Temporary signs
  • Verge treatments.

Please call WA police for other issues such as:

  • Hooning
  • Anti-social behaviour
  • Alcohol and drug use/concerns
  • Noisy parties
  • Criminal or suspicious activity.

For incidents of this nature contact WA Police on 131 444.

Field Officer operating hours:

  • Monday to Sunday 7.00am – 8.00pm.

To contact Field Services please call 9400 4000.

In emergency or life-threatening situations call 000.

 

Community safety

The City coordinates and supports a range of community safety programs in local areas. These programs have a variety of aims including deterring crime, managing graffiti, planning for emergencies and supporting child safety education.

The City is also involved in contributing to planning for emergencies that can impact local areas and leading community recovery efforts.