After more than two years work, a group has achieved funding and approval of a display system that will clean up the clutter of signage at the Parkes St entrance to Helensburgh.
The proposed sign aims to provide a sustainable, safe and combined signage solution for all sports clubs and community groups.
The Helensburgh Lions Club have long supported improving the town entrance.
“We are a lovely little town, but at the moment one may think from the litter of signs at the entrance off the old Princes Highway, they were entering a town that isn’t proud of itself. We fully stand behind the new sign as it will compile all information in one place” said Margaret McGuire, President of The Lions Club of Helensburgh.
The President of the Junior and Senior Soccer Clubs, Bob Hennessy, also supports the signage project.
“The new sign will provide a single focal point for all of our many local sports events, and will be a more modern and tidier entrance into Parkes St, showing visitors and locals that ours is a community that works together” Bob said.
The signage project raised $20,000 for a six-panel, 8m x 3m display to be placed close to the current Workmens Club sign on Parkes St near the corner of the Old Princes Highway. The State Government and Wollongong City Council contributed $10,000, Helensburgh Coal $7000, the Lions Club of Helensburgh $2000 and the balance came from Helensburgh Computers ($500), Heritage Cellars ($250), Centennial Hotel ($250), and Greenwood Smash Repairs ($250).
The only dampener to this wonderful achievement is that existing signage which the new system was intended to replace looks like it will remain.

Project coordinator and local business owner Scott Smith said the situation was very disappointing.
“The ad hoc signage scattered along the roadside at the entrance to town was identified as an eyesore years ago. Now we are ready to do something about it. It is really up to Council to act to have the signs removed” Scott said.
As it currently stands no action can be taken by Council on illegal signage due to the absence of an approval policy. A Council spokesperson explained to the Helensburgh News that during the closure of Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Council suspended its Public Signage laws.
A moratorium was placed on prosecutions for illegal business signage as Council had no official signage approval process. The moratorium remains until the Property Department and Development, Assessment and Compliance come up with an approval policy.
“Council must take action to address this policy loop hole” Scott said.
“At present the best we can hope for is to erect our new sign and hope that the and Rangers are allowed to do their job. The design is finished, all participating community groups have been consulted, the money has been raised, the DA has been lodged, materials have been ordered, the site has been cleared.... and yet we are stuck,” Scott said.
Visit www.nio.net.au/hbp to find out more about this and similar projects.