Arabic version: مجلس أديلايد يلغي حظر إعلانات الوقود الأحفوري

According to ABC News, the City of Adelaide has rescinded a motion to ban fossil fuel advertising on council assets, weeks after councillors voted in favour of the restriction. Deputy Lord Mayor Carmel Noon’s special motion to revoke the ban “in its entirety” passed eight votes to two on Tuesday.

The original measure, which narrowly passed two weeks earlier, would have barred oil, coal and gas companies from advertising in council-owned public spaces, including bus stops, banners and billboards, from July 2027. It prompted backlash and concern from the state government over possible effects on the Tour Down Under, whose main sponsor is Santos.

Noon said council should not make a decision before understanding its consequences. Councillor Arman Abrahumzadeh, supporting the reversal, said members would “deserve a spot in the national gymnastics team given the backflip that we’ve made”. Council administration had advised support for rolling back the ban, citing unresolved questions about its legal validity and practical implementation.

Councillors also passed a separate motion directing administration to investigate the implications of restricting fossil fuel advertising and report back by May 2027. Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said the timing could still create uncertainty for planning a major event such as the Tour Down Under, because event details are designed around sponsors.

The council asked the lord mayor to write to the state government about growing community concern over coal, oil and gas sponsorship on publicly owned assets in Adelaide. The letter will seek advice on how sponsorship and partnership arrangements are considered under the South Australia Government’s Net Zero Strategy 2024–2030. Councillor Keiran Snape, who proposed the original ban, said the new motion was an “excellent compromise”, while Councillor Eleanor Freeman said council was seeking a better approach with the state government.