A sign audit spanning the Penrith Local Government Area (LGA) has been requested to improve way-finding across the city.
It comes after Penrith Councillor Marcus Cornish was approached by a resident who pointed out a discrepancy in the spelling of Lansdowne Road, Orchard Hills.
Prior to Council fixing the blunder, the rural road featured signage with two different spellings, while a third spelling was also included on a Council rates notice.
Cr Cornish said an audit of all signs across the Penrith LGA was needed and suggested parking signage, or lack thereof, was the first place to start.
“Parking needs to be distinct with larger ‘Blue P’ signs and arrows from further away, not just in front of where the parking place is, so it leads you to it,” Cr Cornish said.
“With parking being so scarce in Penrith, it’s important that people know where they can find it.”
Cr Cornish, who raised the matter during Council’s Ordinary meeting on September 23, acknowledged it would be a “massive undertaking”.
“There needs to be a system put in place so that signs are checked and not just wrong signs, signs that are faded away and need replacing just from sheer age as well,” he said.
“If we can organise it so there is some sort of schedule put in place for doing the different areas – and this extends outside the city to the rural areas of course – because we definitely need more signage so people know how to get around our city and the most effective way of getting around our city.”
Cr Cornish said he was “pleased” to see Council act so swiftly once it was advised of the embarrassing Lansdowne Road issue.
A Council spokesman said Council staff install or replace more than 2,000 signs a year.
“Council regularly reviews the 20,000-plus signs (street signs, regulatory signage and Council-operated car parks) for which it is responsible for,” he said.
“Council manages the large ‘Blue P’ directional signage to the public car parks in the Penrith and St Marys CBDs while signage for private car parks is the responsibility of the relevant owner/operator.”
Residents can report damaged, missing and/or incorrect signs via Council’s online service portal.
Alena Higgins
Alena Higgins is the Weekender's Senior News Reporter, primarily covering courts and Council issues.