POLITICAL advertising which appeared around Casterton over the Easter weekend is drawing scathing criticism from the community – not for its content, but its placement.

“Disrespectful” and “dangerous and amateur” are just some of the labels used to describe the advertising, after election signage was attached to a wall overlooking a children’s playground and to power poles around the town.

After working for Powercor for 36 years, Robert Pettingill said he was horrified to see corflutes attached to several power poles by both zip ties and screws.

“They’ve put a screw about three-and-a-half metres up the pole, they’ve climbed the pole or had something that high to stand on, which is illegal and dangerous,” Mr Pettingill said.

“I’m a retired line inspector … the public aren’t allowed to climb a pole … and if you put a screw into a pole, that’s high-voltage, 22,000 (volts) … what if it was live?

“It’s very dangerous and amateur behaviour by a political party.”

Powercor confirmed it had written agreements in place for organisations such as VicRoads and local councils – mostly regarding road signs – but these were only approved after stringent safety checks by its network safety team.

“It is illegal to attach material to electricity infrastructure and there are serious safety risks associated with climbing, drilling or hammering nails into any power poles,” a Powercor spokesman said.

“Anyone attaching signage or interfering with poles in any way, including by using nails or screws, is not only putting themselves at risk but they’re also putting others at risk too.

“We encourage anyone with information on this to report it to us on 13 22 06 or at www.powercor.com.au.”

The company will be investigating the matter, further.

The placing of similar signage on a wall bordering a children’s playground, has also drawn scathing criticism from the community.

The posters appeared over the Easter weekend and have been place over a mural on a wall, painted by Casterton Primary School students in 2001, with the blessing of the wall’s owner at that time.

The property has since changed hands and while it is private property, its use for political purposes given the location, has drawn a barrage of criticism from the community.

A photograph of the wall was published on social media, drawing a plethora of scathing comments and negative feedback, including:

“Disappointed that they have covered the beautiful art work of the children, should be ashamed who is responsible for displaying posters for children to see whilst they play and wonder what they are.”

“I think it shows the low level of intellect from those involved. Poor form to say the least.”

And from one of the women involved in creating the original artwork:

“Ah that was my year too! I made one of those 😢.”

Another viewer stated she believed commentors were helping the material to achieve its intended purpose:

“They've achieved what they wanted.Free advertising and it’s made it to face book and were all talking about it.🤔”

School principal, Jill Robertson, also expressed her disappointment at the placement of the signage.

“It is disappointing that anyone would think this is appropriate for a primary school: clearly the students are the target audience, and controversy is the intended outcome

Casterton Primary School principal Jill Robertson

“It is disappointing that anyone would think this is appropriate for a primary school: clearly the students are the target audience, and controversy is the intended outcome,” she said.

“We are not a political platform for any party … very disappointed at such a pointless stunt.”

Mrs Robertson said she would be seeking further advice on the matter, after receiving written instruction from the Department of Education last week, advising schools to be “mindful of managing any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest”.

The local candidate for the party represented by the signage said he had not been contacted, nor had he heard any negative comments, about the signage.

“It was done by members of the (candidate’s political party),” he said.

“Why would it be inappropriate?

“Kids are subject to all sorts of signage, all over the place, all the time.”

Casterton News contacted the Australian Electoral Commission and Glenelg Shire Council, regarding the signage adjacent to the playground.

The commission advised there were no rules or laws regarding the placement of signage, except in the instance of polling booths on election day.

Glenelg Shire Council advised that as the material was placed on public property, it was not illegal or against local laws, however signage placed on council-owned or public property would be considered ‘littering’ and removed and disposed of as deemed appropriate, by shire staff.