A WOMAN who erected a 12ft giant clown in her front garden much to delight of locals has slammed killjoy councillors who made her take it down.

Tanya Stevens, of Noosa, Australia, proudly displayed the colourful character outside her home after discovering Moscow Circus was coming to town.

But a Queensland council launched a crackdown on the jesters, warning Tanya she could be fined for flaunting her 12ft inflatable clown called Karl.

The circus fan claimed the clown had been welcomed by locals during the five days it was exhibited in honour of the admired entertainers.

Yet sadly, Karl had to be deflated after councillors informed her the display was actually in breach of Noosa Shire Council bylaws.

Tanya told local TV show A Current Affair: "The circus people approached me again and they were like, 'the clown has got to, it's got to come down, and I'm like 'oh no, why'."

The fun-loving Aussie says they then informed her that the council told the circus company they cannot have the huge clowns on display.

Strict local laws ban all third-party advertising, regardless of whether it is on private property or not.

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The rules also forbid event organisers from using more than six advertising signs, which are required to be smaller than one metre.

Tanya explained: "I was told by one councillor I could cop a fine because he's actually in my yard and I'm advertising for a third party."

Member of the Moscow Circus Mark Edgley hit out at the moaning councillors and suggested they could make an exception as the esteemed show makes its first return to Noosa in a decade.

He added: "We provide a lot of interest and family fun to the community.

"Maybe they should just re-think their policies with outdoor advertising, especially stuff like this."

He said the huge inflatable clowns are their "number one form of advertising", leaving the circus' publicity plan in tatters.

Neighbour Leah said of the matter: " It's very sad, very sad for our local community.

"With the past two years and lockdown it's nice to see something bright and colourful and cheery."

And resident Esme added: "We loved Karl! You know, how often do you see a clown in a front (lawn)?"

CLOWNING AROUND

Noosa Shire Council claimed they were simply enforcing the rules after receiving complaints – but not all hope is lost for the likes of Karl.

They explained that although the policy was brought in in 2020, the current council "has the ability to revisit the issue if there is community demand."

A statement from Noosa Shire Council read: "Inflatable 3D signage for the Great Moscow Circus doesn't comply with Noosa Council's endorsed Advertising Signage Policy.

"Owners have been asked to remove the signage within 24 hours.

"The Local Law on Advertising Signage was introduced in February 2020 with the purpose of preserving the look and feel of Noosa's unique environment.

"Under the local law, inflatable and third-party signs (signs for someone else's business/event on your property) are prohibited in Noosa.

"The local law also covers event signage, specifying that event signage must not exceed six signs and must not exceed 900mm x 600mm in size.

"Our officers requested the inflatable signs be removed after a number of complaints from the community.

"The current signage policy was ratified by the previous council back in 2020. The current council has the ability to revisit the issue if there is community demand."

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