Strathfield Council in Sydney has voted to mandate the inclusion of English on all local shopfront signage, citing a need to foster social unity. The decision, which passed with four votes in favor and two against, aims to ensure businesses display English clearly alongside other languages. However, the policy’s enforceability remains uncertain, with neighboring mayors and local business owners questioning the practical application of the rule.
The Push for English-Language Signage in Strathfield
The motion, introduced by Liberal councillor Esther Kim, targets businesses within the Strathfield local government area (LGA) that currently display signs exclusively in languages other than English. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, approximately 73 per cent of the area’s 45,000 residents speak a language other than English at home, including Mandarin, Nepali, Cantonese, Korean, and Arabic. Councillor Kim argued that as a migrant, she views English as a common language that helps integrate diverse communities into Australian society.
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This is not the first time the council has debated this issue. Strathfield Council previously considered regulating shop signage eight years ago, though that attempt faced significant public resistance at the time.
Mayoral Perspectives on Enforcement and Jurisdiction
While some regional leaders support the sentiment behind the motion, they have expressed skepticism regarding its implementation. Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone stated that while he agrees English is the national language, he believes local councils lack the equipment and authority to enforce such a policy. “Councils are certainly not the sole custodians of signs,” Mr. Carbone noted, adding that he opposes measures that could unnecessarily increase costs for small business owners.
Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun suggested that the issue highlights a lack of legislative clarity from the NSW government. He argued that the state government should lead on this matter to ensure consistency, rather than leaving individual councils to navigate the dispute. “The Minister for Planning should just get his pen out and say ‘yes, sorry it’s an oversight, all signs should be in both languages’,” Mr. Mannoun said.
Business Community and Internal Council Dissent
The motion has encountered pushback from within the council and the business community. Labor councillor Rory Nosworthy, who voted against the measure, stated that he had received no complaints from constituents regarding signage. He noted that during his own observations of local town centers, most businesses already provide translations.
Local business owners have also questioned the necessity of the mandate. Diana Son, owner of a local beauty salon for over three decades, told The Sydney Morning Herald that customers possess the “common sense” to understand services offered. She emphasized that many local businesses already utilize bilingual or trilingual signage to cater to their diverse customer base. Similarly, Federico Carucci, a worker at an Italian cafe in the area, remarked that he has not received any customer feedback regarding the language used on their shopfront.
Next Steps for Council Policy
The council is currently preparing a report to evaluate existing policies on multilingual signage. A council spokesperson indicated that they cannot provide further details on how the motion will be enforced, the timeline for implementation, or the potential financial impact on business owners until that report is completed. The NSW Department of Planning has been approached for comment regarding the state’s role in these signage regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does this motion ban non-English languages on signs? No, the motion requires that English be displayed clearly and prominently, but it does not prohibit the use of other languages.
- How many businesses will be affected? There are more than 7,300 businesses in the Strathfield LGA, though the council has not specified how many currently lack English signage.
- Is there a date for enforcement? The council has not yet set a date, as they are currently in the process of drafting a report on existing signage policies.
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