A move by a local shire to remove some roadside signs deemed “unsafe” is drawing concern from businesses in a popular West Australian tourist area, according to reporting from ABC Business. Shop owners say the change could reduce the number of visitors who notice—and choose—their locations.
For small and mid-size businesses, the key issue is simple: signage is often part of the customer journey. When road-facing directions or site identifiers are removed, it can become harder for drivers to find specific stores, attractions, or services—especially for visitors who are unfamiliar with the area and rely on quick visual cues.
Even when a safety rationale is credible, owners may want to think in practical terms about how they’ll be discovered if certain signs come down. That can include reviewing how customers currently navigate to the storefront, ensuring alternative, permitted wayfinding exists, and planning communication that reminds visitors how to locate the business without relying on the removed signage.
From a risk-management perspective, this kind of local infrastructure decision is a reminder that regulatory and safety actions can create commercial side-effects. Businesses may benefit from engaging early with the relevant shire on implementation timelines and the availability of replacement options, so foot traffic isn’t unintentionally disrupted.
Source: ABC Business (Australia)
