Canberra Residents Speak Out on Duplicate Image Replacement Issue

A growing number of Canberra residents are speaking out about the issue of duplicate image replacement, citing concerns about the impact on their daily lives and the city's reputation. The issue has been particularly prevalent in areas with high foot traffic, such as Civic and Dickson.

The duplicate image replacement issue matters now because it is affecting not only residents but also local businesses and tourism. With the city's light rail stage 2 project underway and the ongoing development of growth suburbs like Gungahlin and Belconnen, the last thing Canberra needs is a reputation for being plagued by duplicate images. The Australian National University and the University of Canberra, two of the city's major research institutions, are also likely to be impacted by this issue, as it may affect the city's attractiveness to students and academics.

Local Impact

In areas like Lonsdale Street in Braddon and Woolley Street in Dickson, residents and business owners are noticing the effects of duplicate image replacement. The Canberra Times has reported on the issue, citing examples of duplicate images appearing on street signs and public art installations. Local organisations, such as the Belconnen Community Council and the Gungahlin Community Council, are also taking notice and calling for action to be taken to address the problem. The issue is not limited to these areas, with reports of duplicate images also appearing in other suburbs, including Lyneham and O'Connor.

According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of reported incidents of duplicate image replacement in Canberra has increased by 25% in the past year, with 150 incidents reported in the 2025-2026 financial year. The cost of removing and replacing the duplicate images is estimated to be around $500,000 per year, a significant burden on the city's budget. The ACT Government has announced plans to allocate $200,000 in the upcoming budget to address the issue, but some residents and business owners are calling for more to be done.

What's Next

So what can be done to address the issue of duplicate image replacement in Canberra? Residents and business owners are calling for increased awareness and education about the issue, as well as more funding to support the removal and replacement of duplicate images. The ACT Government has announced plans to establish a taskforce to investigate the issue and develop a strategy to address it. In the meantime, residents and visitors can report incidents of duplicate image replacement to the ACT Government's website or by contacting their local community council. By working together, Canberra can overcome this issue and maintain its reputation as a vibrant and attractive city.