The Clarence City Council could knock back plans for a digital billboard on the Tasman Highway, citing road safety concerns about driver distraction in an area already prone to crashes.
The proposed 8.5-metre-high LED sign at Montagu Bay would loom over the highway near the Clarence Sports Centre, displaying rotating ads to traffic heading towards the Tasman Bridge.
But council planning officers have recommended refusing the application after identifying the location as a ‘black spot’ with 22 reported crashes in the past five years.
“This is a section of the Tasman Highway that is already a demanding driving environment for motorists,” the Department of State Growth told council.
“There is a great deal of weaving activity with motorists entering from the Rosny Hill Road interchange and westbound through traffic wanting to merge across into the left-hand lane on the approach to the Tasman Bridge.”
Council staff warned the sign “has the potential to create a significant distraction” in a spot where drivers should be focused on the road.
Beyond safety concerns, planners said the billboard is simply too big. At 8.5 metres high, it exceeds the three-metre height limit for billboards by almost three times due to its structure.
The sign would also affect the “highly sensitive” view corridors of the Derwent River, Hobart CBD and Mount Wellington, according to the assessment.
Bishopp Outdoor Advertising’s application included traffic studies and expert advice arguing that 45-second display intervals would minimise driver distraction.
The company said the billboard would help the sports centre raise money for community programs.
However, council officers remain unconvinced, saying the application “failed to demonstrate that there will not be an increase in vehicle crashes as a result of the proposed billboard”.
Clarence councillors will vote on the proposal on Monday evening.
