Sydney council plans to make English compulsory for all shop signs

Sydney council officials have approved a motion requiring all businesses within their jurisdiction to display English on shop signs, aiming to promote clarity and unity among the diverse population. The decision was made during a recent council meeting and marks the second time the proposal has been considered, following initial pushback eight years ago. The measure applies to approximately 7,300 businesses in the Strathfield Local Government Area, which is home to around 45,000 residents, about 73 percent of whom speak a language other than English. Common languages include Mandarin, Nepali, Cantonese, Korean, and Arabic. The motion does not prohibit the use of other languages on shop signs but mandates that English must be clearly visible. This requirement primarily targets businesses that currently lack English text on their signage. Liberal councillor Esther Kim, who proposed the motion, emphasized the importance of English as a shared language, particularly for new migrants. She stated, “When people come as migrants, living in Australia, we have to respect that English is our common language.” Despite the council's stance, several local business owners and community members expressed concerns about the policy. Federico Carucci, a staff member at Strathfield’s Italian café Barone, noted that bilingual and even trilingual signs are already prevalent along the main commercial street near the railway station. He suggested that the initiative might reflect a need for council members to engage in such matters. “They [the council] have to fill their time by doing these things,” he remarked. Diana Son, owner of FM Beauty Salon, echoed similar sentiments. With over three decades of experience in the area, she argued that customers possess sufficient common sense to understand what services are offered, regardless of the language used on signs. She highlighted that her salon often uses both Korean and English on its signage, reflecting the cultural diversity of the neighborhood. “People of all cultures come here,” she said. Labor councillor Rory Nosworthy criticized the move as an overreach, suggesting that the responsibility for signage should rest with individual store owners rather than the council. He questioned whether the issue was significant enough to warrant such regulation. “I’m not sure it’s an issue we have in Strathfield. I think it’s up to the store owner... I’m not sure it’s for us to say what language they should put their signage in,” he said. The council has yet to specify how the policy will be enforced, including the notice period businesses will receive before compliance is required and who will bear the cost of making signs compliant. A spokesperson for the council indicated that a report detailing current policies on multilingual signage and recommendations for promoting clear communication will be prepared. Until this report is finalized, the council will not address specific inquiries regarding enforcement mechanisms or financial responsibilities. Independent councillor Matthew Blackmore acknowledged that the move aligns with existing council policies but admitted he had observed only a small number of non-compliant shops. The council did not disclose how many complaints it had received related to the issue in the past year. The motion received support from four councillors and opposition from two. As the council prepares its report, the debate over the role of local governments in regulating signage continues, highlighting broader discussions about multiculturalism, civic identity, and the balance between inclusivity and uniformity in public spaces.