Community Message Boards

Your organistion will need to complete the Community Event Sign Application Form found in the Related Documents section below and return it to the Community Development team.

Applications for the use of display space on the Community Events Sign will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Applicant Group Responsibilities

• Ensure request for sign is made at least two months prior to the event date
• Creation and production of signwriting for display board and all associated costs. (Screen-printing on a sign 2400mm x 1800mm is approximately $600)
• Costs for updating the display board with new dates each year.

Burdekin Shire Council's Responsibilities

• Supplying the applicant group with the specially manufactured blank display board at no cost;
• Installation and removal of the display board; and
• Storage of the display board.

When not on display, the board will be stored by Burdekin Shire Council for the Group's use the following year, when the Group will only be required to complete a Community Event Sign Update Form and cover the costs of the dates on the display board to be changed by a local signwriter.

• The board is made from AluGBond (supplied by Burdekin Shire Council)
• The size of the display board is 2400mm x 1800mm (made up of 2 (1200 x 1800mm) panels
• The board will appear in a standardised way. (2400mm wide by 1800mm high)
• Your group will be required to produce the design to be printed/painted on the display board. It is a requirement that your group does this in conjunction with a local signwriter of your choice, who will also be required to print/paint the design on the display board
• Burdekin Shire Council MUST approve all display board designs prior to them being printed/painted by a local signwriter
• Your group will be required to cover the cost of the printing/painting by the local signwriter
• Burdekin Shire Council will erect your display board, remove it after the event has occurred and will store it
• For annual events, your group will be required to cover the costs of updating the dates of its event on your display board each year

The length of time that your group’s display board will be erected will depend on the number of applicants for that period, and will be at the discretion of the Burdekin Shire Council.

To be eligible to display your event message on the Community Event Sign, events must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

• The event organising body must be based in the Shire or provide services to people within the Shire
• Events must be open to all residents of the Shire
• Applicants must hold current Public Liability Insurance sufficient for the proposed event
• All events promoted on the Community Event Sign must occur within Burdekin Shire.

In approving applications, Council will consider the following:

• Council-initiated events
• Council-supported events (supported through partnerships or direct funding)
• Community Events

They will be assessed using the following priority criteria:

1. Have the potential to attract large crowds of participants
2. Involve a wide range of local community groups eg. local arts, cultural and ethnic groups
3. Have demonstrated the ability to host the event
4. Offer something significant or entirely new to Burdekin Shire Council residents
5. Are accessible to all residents

• Burdekin Shire Council will develop a system of space allocation, based on the priority groups, and take into account previous access to the Community Event Sign.
• The display board message, if accepted, may be complemented with a listing in the Events Calendar on the Burdekin Shire Council website.
• Burdekin Shire Council reserves the right not to accept or promote any events that could involve the Burdekin Shire Council in a controversial issue or expose Council to adverse criticism.
• Should the applicant or any of its sponsors be regarded as inappropriate under the following, then the application for promotion will not be accepted:
  • An event that is at odds with local government policy directly or indirectly;
  • An event that does not meet the community standards relating to “good taste”;
  • Any products or services which are at odds with Burdekin Shire Council’s duty of care, aims or objectives.
• Burdekin Shire Council is responsible for your event sign while it is displayed in Plantation Park.
• In all instances, Burdekin Shire Council reserves the right not to accept an application for space on the Community Event Sign.
• Burdekin Shire Council will not be held responsible for the conduct of the event.

For further information please contact the Community Development Team.

The following conditions of display apply:

• Council information will be given priority when there is an emergency and/or disaster event.
• Council reserves the right to decide which notices, if any, will be displayed and to prioritise them accordingly.
• There is no charge for use of the space, but the wording used must be appropriate for public viewing. Council will review and approve all notices to be displayed and reserves the right to edit notices if required and/or refuse any messages deemed potentially inappropriate.
• Council does not display notices which promote political or religious views or are deemed to be offensive or illegal.
• Information regarding sale, advertising, solicitation, or promotion of commercial products or businesses will not be displayed.
• Display of notices on Council’s PEMB does not indicate an endorsement by Council of the issues or events.
• In the event of a malfunction, Council’s PEMB will default to a blank screen.

• Each message will be consistent with Council’s Corporate Style Guide.
• Information shall be provided in electronic format (e.g. Online form, Word, Publisher or PDF).
• Each message will be displayed for a minimum time of 20 seconds.
• Each message will be contained within the one screen (i.e. a message will not continue over more than one screen), unless approval is granted by Council’s Chief Executive Officer.

• In an emergency and/or disaster event, all notifications will take precedence over community messages. 
• Organisations that have a booking in place may be required to forgo their booking where a one-off event/booking is requested.  Should this be required, email notification will be provided.
• Bookings – the preferred option for requests to display information should be submitted to Council via the online Request to Display Notice form below.  Printable application forms are also available from Council’s Customer Service Centre.
• Bookings – can also be made in person or by phoning the Customer Service Centre and providing full details as required.  Bookings should be made well in advance of the required date of use to ensure availability.
• Applications must be received no less than two (2) weeks before the start date of the message.
• Notices can be displayed for three (3) weeks prior to the event on Council’s PEMB or longer if the booking schedule allows.

• Council’s PEMB are operational 7 days per week between the hours of 5:00am and 9:00pm.
• During emergency and/or disaster events, Council’s PEMB may be operational on a 24/7 basis.