Adelaide City Council has reversed a two-week-old ban on fossil fuel advertising in council-owned spaces, voting eight to two to revoke the measure amid concerns about its potential impact on the Tour Down Under. Deputy Lord Mayor Carmel Noon introduced the special motion to rescind the ban 'in its entirety', warning against making decisions before understanding their consequences.
The original ban, passed narrowly, would have stopped oil, coal and gas companies from advertising on bus stops, banners and billboards from July 2027. It drew backlash from the state government and raised questions about the Tour Down Under, whose main sponsor is gas giant Santos.
"We should not make the decision first and find out the consequences afterwards," Ms Noon said.
Speaking in support of the move to revoke the ban, Arman Abrahumzadeh said members would “deserve a spot in the national gymnastics team given the backflip that we've made”.
Councillor Keiran Snape, who proposed the original ban, voted against its revocation but described a new, related motion as "an excellent compromise". "This council is firm on climate action and our community wants to see that happen as well," he said.
Councillor Eleanor Freeman supported the original ban but voted to rescind it. "The intent two weeks ago was noble. Sometimes effect can outweigh intent," she said. "Tonight we looked to correct course and find a better way that's in partnership with the state government to investigate how we can have more climate action."
A separate motion calling on the council administration to investigate the implications of restricting fossil fuel advertisements passed six votes to four, with a report due by May 2027. Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith expressed concern that the new motion could still impact the Tour Down Under. “What worries me most, when there is a major event being planned, the details are designed to fit around the sponsors and by not having this report until May there will be a level of uncertainty of our capacity of having the event in our city,” she said.
The council also asked the lord mayor to write to the state government over what it termed “growing community concern regarding the promotion of coal, oil and gas sponsorship on publicly owned assets within the City of Adelaide”, seeking advice on how sponsorship and partnership arrangements are considered in the context of the state's Net Zero Strategy.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The reversal highlights the tension between local climate policies and major economic events with fossil fuel ties, particularly the Tour Down Under.
- The council's compromise approach, revoking a blanket ban in favour of an inquiry, may become a template for other councils facing similar debates.
- The decision directly impacts the staging and sponsorship of one of Australia's largest cycling events.
Background
The original ban on fossil fuel advertising in council-owned public spaces was passed two weeks ago. It faced immediate criticism from the state government and raised questions about its legal validity and practical implementation. The Tour Down Under, whose main sponsor is gas company Santos, has a village that is a mainstay of the Adelaide CBD.
Key Perspectives
Deputy Lord Mayor Carmel Noon: says the council should not decide first and find out consequences later.
Councillor Keiran Snape: while he voted against the revocation, he sees the new motion as a compromise and affirms the council's commitment to climate action.
Councillor Eleanor Freeman: supported the original intent but says its effects outweighed its intent, necessitating a correction of course.
Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith: is concerned that a report due in May 2027 will leave the Tour Down Under's planning in a state of uncertainty.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the council's inquiry into the implications of restricting fossil fuel ads, due by May 2027.
- The state government's response to the council's letter seeking advice on sponsorship and the Net Zero Strategy.
- Whether the uncertainty affects Tour Down Under planning or sponsor relations.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedAdelaide council backflipped on the fossil fuel ad ban amid Tour Down Under fears.Just In: “Adelaide council backflips on fossil fuel ad ban amid Tour Down Under fears.”
- SupportedThe council reversed a ban that had passed two weeks earlier.Just In: “The about-face followed a vote that narrowly passed two weeks ago in favour of banning oil, coal and gas companies from any advertising in council-owned public spaces, including on bus stops, banners and billboards as of July 2027.”
- SupportedThe motion to revoke the ban passed eight votes to two.Just In: “On Tuesday Deputy Lord Mayor Carmel Noon put forward a special motion to revoke that ban "in its entirety". It passed eight votes to two.”
- SupportedCarmel Noon said, “We should not make the decision first and find out the consequences afterwards.”Just In: “"We should not make the decision first and find out the consequences afterwards," she said.”
- SupportedArman Abrahumzadeh said members would “deserve a spot in the national gymnastics team given the backflip that we've made”.Just In: “Speaking in support of the move to revoke the ban, Arman Abrahumzadeh said members would "deserve a spot in the national gymnastics team given the backflip that we've made".”
- SupportedThe original ban would have prohibited oil, coal and gas companies from advertising in council-owned public spaces, including bus stops, banners and billboards, from July 2027.Just In: “banning oil, coal and gas companies from any advertising in council-owned public spaces, including on bus stops, banners and billboards as of July 2027.”
- SupportedThe Tour Down Under's main sponsor is Santos, described as a gas giant.Just In: “the Tour Down Under, whose main sponsor is gas giant Santos.”
- SupportedKeiran Snape called the new motion “an excellent compromise”.Just In: “"It's not ideal that the motion is being revoked, but the new motion coming in is an excellent compromise," he said.”
- SupportedEleanor Freeman said, “Tonight we looked to correct course and find a better way that's in partnership with the state government to investigate how we can have more climate action.”Just In: “"Tonight we looked to correct course and find a better way that's in partnership with the state government to investigate how we can have more climate action."”
- SupportedJane Lomax-Smith said the delay in the report would leave uncertainty about the city's capacity to hold the event.Just In: “"What worries me most, when there is a major event being planned, the details are designed to fit around the sponsors and by not having this report until May there will be a level of uncertainty of our capacity of having the event in our city," she said.”
- SupportedThe separate motion to investigate the implications of restricting fossil fuel advertising passed six votes to four.Just In: “Another motion also passed, calling on council administration to further investigate the implications of restricting fossil fuel advertisements, and report back by May 2027.”
- SupportedThe council administration is due to report on the investigation by May 2027.Just In: “Another motion also passed, calling on council administration to further investigate the implications of restricting fossil fuel advertisements, and report back by May 2027.”