We respectfully call upon Ku-ring-gai Council to grant either a compassionate exemption or a reasonable time extension to allow the premises located at 964 Pacific Highway, Pymble NSW, to retain or regularise the “Free Iran” signage currently displayed on the first-floor windows of the premises.

This signage was installed at significant personal expense as a message of solidarity with the Iranian community and in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis at the recent massacre at the hands of the Islamic regime occupying Iran. The sign is not commercial advertising, nor is it intended to generate profit or promote services. It is a non-permanent label affixed to a window, intended purely as a community support message during a time of extreme distress for many Australians with Iranian heritage.

The local Iranian community in the North Sydney and Ku-ring-gai area has experienced deep emotional impact due to recent events overseas, including reports of widespread violence and civilian casualties. For many, this signage represents compassion, unity, and acknowledgement of human suffering, rather than political campaigning or commercial promotion.

The council has issued a letter seeking removal of the signage, and stated if not complied with by Wednesday 11 February,  a regulatory action and a Penalty Infringement Notice will be issued.

While we fully understands and respects Council’s regulatory framework and planning controls, the urgency and sensitivity of the situation at the time meant that a Development Approval application was not lodged prior to installation.

We believe there is a reasonable and balanced pathway forward that recognises both regulatory obligations and the compassionate intent behind this action. We therefore request that Council consider one of the following outcomes:

• A temporary exemption on compassionate and community-support grounds, acknowledging the non-commercial nature of the signage and the exceptional humanitarian context.

• A reasonable extension of time to allow the business owner to lodge a Development Application and have the matter assessed through the proper planning process without the immediate threat of penalty.

This request is not about avoiding compliance. It is about proportionality, fairness, and allowing due process where the intent was never commercial gain, but community solidarity and humanitarian expression. The signage is not a structural alteration, does not present a safety hazard, and can be removed or modified if ultimately required following proper assessment.

Local businesses often play an important social role beyond commerce. In moments of international crisis and community distress, gestures of solidarity can have meaningful emotional impact. Allowing a short extension or compassionate exemption would demonstrate that local governance can balance regulation with empathy and community understanding.

We respectfully urge Ku-ring-gai Council to consider this matter with flexibility, fairness, and compassion, and to work with us toward a compliant and reasonable resolution rather than immediate punitive action.