"Dangerous territory": Reports signs stolen, kicked in as election heats up

Division 2 candidate Callen Sorensen Karklis said he had had three signs stolen, including two near the centre of Cleveland, and a further two had been damaged.

He said some candidates were reluctant to put signs on fences because they did not want the residents having trouble with vandals.

"The election could be getting into dangerous territory."

It came after last year's federal election saw graffiti, including swastikas, on election signs.

Former councillor Toni Bowler said there had been an incident whereby someone had smashed an election sign with a tyre and damaged a nearby fence, leaving the candidate to pay for repairs.

Meanwhile, Division 3 Cr Paul Golle had signs impacted by graffiti but made light of the situation on Facebook.

Mayoral candidate Claire Richardson said she had had signs stolen but she did not think the thefts were malicious.

"I just think it's one of those things that we all have to deal with as part of an election process," she said.

"I think the bigger issue is the fact that we have to put these signs up. They're very costly and they generate a lot of waste after the election."

She called for a policy to be reinstated restricting the number of signs each candidate could have to level the playing field.

Division 9 hopeful Adelia Berridge said people had told her if candidates were not putting signs up they were not serious about the job.

"There's nothing true in that statement at all," she said.

"It's a case of who has the most money wins and it's not doing the community any favours if people are elected simply due to having more funding for professional signs."

Others were worried about candidates violating local signage rules.

Ms Bowler said candidates and residents should be aware of rules around election signage.

"There's a lot of older people who feel very intimidated by making a complaint," she said.

A council spokesperson said eight complaints had been received about election signs between January 1 and February 26.

Election signs must not affect public safety or impact the use or enjoyment of land.

They also can not be erected on public land or be illuminated.

There are no rules about candidates advertising outside their own division or restricting the number or content of the signs, provided it "reasonably relates" to the candidate.

Signs on cars have to comply with police and TMR rules.

Signs could not be put on road reserves or council land and candidates need approval from landowners before placing signs on private land.