Politics · Australia · 3 hrs ago
Adelaide council votes to ban fossil fuel advertising in public spaces
Adelaide City Council voted to ban fossil fuel advertising on council-owned public spaces, including bus stops and billboards.
The ban covers oil, coal and gas companies and is due to begin on July 1, 2027.
Councillor Keiran Snape proposed the motion, saying the council’s advertising policies should match its climate goals.
Santos, an Adelaide-based gas company, sponsors the Tour Down Under, a major cycling race held in the city each January.
South Australia’s government says the ban could jeopardise the Tour Down Under village in Victoria Square, which it says drew more than 70,000 visitors this year and benefited local businesses.
The state government says the council decision could affect the event’s naming-rights sponsorship, while the council’s Lord Mayor warned that losing sponsorship could have wider effects.
The council’s motion allows for a transition period for existing advertisers, but its timing is not yet known.
Adelaide City Council has voted 5-4 to ban oil, coal and gas companies from advertising in council-owned public spaces.
The ban is due to take effect on July 1, 2027, with a transition period for current advertisers.
The South Australian government says the decision could jeopardise the Tour Down Under Tour Village and affect CBD businesses.
Councillor Keiran Snape said the council’s climate policies should align with taking climate change seriously.
The council says it is working to halve its 2020 carbon emissions by 2030.
- Who
- Adelaide City Council voted on a motion put forward by councillor Keiran Snape.
- What
- The council approved a ban on oil, coal and gas company advertising in council-owned public spaces.
- When
- The vote took place on Tuesday evening. The ban is due to begin on July 1, 2027.
- Where
- Adelaide’s CBD, in council-owned public spaces such as bus stops, banners and billboards.
- Why
- Snape said the council’s policies should align with taking climate change seriously.
Adelaide City Council ban supporters
South Australian government and council opponents
Climate policy
Adelaide City Council ban supporters
Snape said the council’s policies should align with taking climate change seriously.
South Australian government and council opponents
The SA government said the ban threatens the Tour Down Under Tour Village; the Lord Mayor described the motion as hypocritical.
Tour Down Under
Adelaide City Council ban supporters
Snape said the event would not be able to advertise Santos in the CBD under the ban.
South Australian government and council opponents
The government said the decision jeopardises the Tour Village, while Environment Minister Emily Bourke said Santos sponsorship had enabled equal pay for men and women.
Business impact
Adelaide City Council ban supporters
The motion seeks to restrict fossil fuel advertising on council property.
South Australian government and council opponents
The government said the village attracted more than 70,000 visitors and that the ban would significantly affect CBD businesses; councillor Alfredo Cabada warned of legal risk and the loss of employers.
Adelaide City Council declared a climate emergency.
Councillor Keiran Snape put forward the motion, which the council approved by five votes to four.
The Tour Down Under Tour Village attracted more than 70,000 visitors, according to the SA government.
The advertising ban is due to be implemented.
- Vote
- 5 councillors in favour, 4 against
- Effective date
- July 1, 2027
- Advertising locations
- Bus stops, banners and billboards
- Council climate target
- Halve 2020 carbon emissions by 2030
- Tour Village visitors
- More than 70,000 during this year's event
What people are saying
Adelaide City Council's decision to ban the promotion of the TDU's naming rights sponsor on Council property jeopardises the future of the Tour Village
We want to take climate change seriously, if the City of Adelaide wants to take climate change seriously, the policies must align
Through their sponsorship they are able to elevate the sporting event to a new standard and take it into being seen as the best sporting event in Australia, to tell our states story and give equal pay to men and women to compete in the same race
The best to get the companies to get with cleaner energy is to work with them