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                    Signage

                    Illustration showing several signs on the front and side of a heritage house
                    Understand heritage policy as it relates to signage.

                    Existing signage

                    It is policy to:

                    • Retain existing signage with heritage value and do not alter or obscure historic painted signage.

                    Figure 29: Historic painted signs, or 'ghost signs' can be found around Melbourne.

                    Composite of two photos showing historic painted 'ghost' signs, including a sign on a brick wall in Ridgway Place for 'Alex Barfoot - Shoe repairs, surgical footwear'.

                    Figure 30: Existing signage

                    Illustration of Mitchell House, a multi-storey building of heritage significance, with signs of heritage value at the top and front of the building retained. There is another sign of heritage value on the side of the building which has been incorrectly obscured by another sign.

                    New signange

                    It is policy to:

                    • Ensure new signage associated with heritage places:
                      • Minimises visual clutter.
                      • Does not conceal architectural features or details which contribute to the significance of the heritage place.
                      • Does not damage the fabric of the heritage place. 
                      • Is in keeping with historical signage in terms of size and proportion in relation to the heritage place.
                      • Is placed in locations where they were traditionally placed. 
                      • Is readily removable.

                    Figure 31: New signage

                    Diagram of three significant heritage buildings. One has new signage prominent on the roof, causing visual clutter and not placed in a traditional location. The second has new signage in front of second storey windows, concealing architectural features. The third shows new signange on the parapet and front of the verandah - in the correct locations where signange was traditionally placed.
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