WRAP RA taking down unlawful signs in their neighbourhood
The Residents Association is doing every bit that it can to help the municipal entities clean up their area.
As part of their initiative to clean up the community, the Willowbrook, Ruimsig, Amarosa and Poortview Residents Association (WRAP RA) is taking down the unlawful signs in their neighbourhood.
Martin van der Westhuizen, the WRAP RA chairperson, explained the signs are creating a sense of negativity. In the case of estate agents, they refer to themselves as ‘area specialists’ which he said implies there is crime or load-shedding or some other form of trouble in the area. He noted he believes it also brings down the prices as it ‘creates the impression there is too much equipment’ and it looks untidy.
“So I started taking down the signs where people didn’t have a mandate and I based it on the rules as set out by the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority.”
He said another matter of concern is the revenue lost by the City of Johannesburg. He explained when people apply to put up an advertisement, they receive a sticker to show they paid the necessary fee. When this is not done the city then loses money
He mentioned another matter of concern is visibility when the signs don’t meet regulations. He also stated a person or business has to get permission to erect a billboard or sign from the City.
He noted outdoor advertising is regulated by the Outdoor Advertising By-Law of 2009. There are however cases in which permission is not needed to erect an advertising board, however these are also governed by certain regulations and limitations.
