The use of a prominent and popular space at Dubbo for promotion is now forbidden, leaving community groups without the option for their charitable causes and events.
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The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) advised that banners and signs were not to be displayed from the railway bridge in Macquarie Street anymore, Dubbo City Council reported.
The council advised organisations with bookings for promotion at the location of the directive and yesterday one service club member expressed disappointment at the ARTC's decision, saying it would mean less money was raised for deserving causes.
But late yesterday the rail authority defended the move, saying there had been different risky behaviours recently and that it was trying to avoid "any future, preventable incidents occurring".
Council city development and communications manager Natasha Comber said the council had received the advice from the ARTC on Monday.
It had then notified the six organisations that had bookings with the council to promote their event at the location and advised the ARTC had withdrawn permission, she said.
"The ARTC has sighted risks to persons and property as the reasons for not permitting banners to be erected at this location," she said.
The manager said the council would abide by the directive but also "continue to explore new ways for organisations and events to be promoted and supported by council".
Rotary Club of Dubbo Macquarie member and Michael Egan Rotary Book Fair co-ordinator Peter Bartley said the railway bridge had been a popular way to promote events.
"On the face of it the decision seems a mean-spirited Christmas-timed decision," he said.
His club and others had been booking the space for decades with no problems that he was aware of, he said.
"I do not know of any reason why the ARTC has had a change of heart," he said.
"Charities and community groups will suffer and less money will be earned for deserving causes."
Mr Bartley said the council had managed the process "very efficiently" and their club had paid $150 each time a banner was "erected or removed for council approval, including proper traffic safety measures".
"It can only appear as a stupid bureaucratic decision and we call on the ARTC to reverse it," he said.
In response to the Daily Liberal's inquiries, an ARTC spokesman said yesterday the move had been prompted by recent activity.
"ARTC has recently advised council of its concerns regarding members of the community hanging or affixing banners, signage or any other materials to the rail overpass bridge at Macquarie Street in Dubbo," he said.
"Not only is it an illegal activity that carries with it potential for fines or prosecution (under national rail safety legislation), it is an incredibly risky and dangerous thing to do - given it is a live operating rail corridor.
"Local staff have noticed a number of different, risky behaviours recently, and we hope this rail safety message can be shared in order to prevent any future, preventable incidents occurring."