Ipswich Sexpo billboard too sexual

The Sexpo billboard on Brisbane Street at Dinmore.

Rob Williams

A PROVOCATIVE new billboard in Ipswich, which features a half-naked porn actress has been slammed as inappropriate and too rude.

The billboard, located off Brisbane Road in Dinmore, advertises Brisbane’s 2010 Sexpo.

Ipswich Councillor Trevor Nardi said the billboard was not only a distraction for drivers but too sexual for its busy location and should be taken down immediately.

“I’m definitely not a prude, but I don’t think we need billboards like this in our face,” Cr Nardi said.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate and I don’t think many people in the community would find it in good taste.”

Cr Nardi said it was unfortunate the Ipswich City Council could not decide what advertisements went up on billboards in the region.

He said the advertising industry’s self-regulating body, the Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB), should order the Sexpo advertisement be taken down.

A spokesman for the ASB said it had not received any objections to the billboard, but said it had received complaints about Sexpo ads in the past.

Daryl Weston, who lives a few metres from the billboard, said he thought it was a “very much an in your face” kind of advertisement.

Nearby resident Graham Coleman said: “When I first saw them putting it up on Monday I thought to myself this could be trouble.”

“I think it could distract some of the younger drivers too.”

Sexpo is an annual sexuality lifestyle expo that runs from March 4 – 7 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Sexpo organisers were unable to comment before going to print.