Awning Specialist Confirm Thousands of Sydney Shopfronts May Be Breaking a 30-Year-Old NSW Law & Owners Don’t Know It

Shop Awning Repairs Sydney in an interview with Eleven Media confirmed that most building owners are unaware of their responsibility for keeping awnings safe.

SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA, August 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Under Section 142(1) of the Roads Act 1993 (NSW), any business or property owner with an awning over a public footpath is legally responsible for keeping it safe, and councils are actively inspecting. Many owners have never heard of this obligation until they are facing a compliance notice or a fine.

Michael Antonas, Founder of Shop Awning Repairs Sydney, told Eleven Media: “It surprises building owners that the structural integrity of their awning over a footpath is their legal responsibility. Fines for non-compliance are steep, but regular programmed maintenance and structural checks will avoid this.”

Visible warning signs property owners can check for themselves include rust at connection points, blocked or sagging gutters, and cracked or lifting mounting brackets. Shop Awning Repairs Sydney can carry out a low-cost inspection report to help owners meet their obligations under the Act, via shopawningrepairssydney.com.au.

Recently completed corrective work includes a six-awning structural rectification project on Ennis Road, Milsons Point, where engineers found corroded tie rods, turnbuckles and wall plates. “This illustrates what ‘out of sight, out of mind’ deterioration can develop into, and it could have been avoided with regular checks and maintenance work by an awning specialist like us,” said Michael.

About Shop Awning Repairs Sydney

With nearly three decades of hands-on experience, Shop Awning Repairs Sydney specialises in the construction, repair and restoration of retail, commercial and heritage awnings across Sydney, from the CBD and Eastern Suburbs to the Northern Beaches, and from the Sutherland Shire to Penrith.

From shopfront canopies that drive foot traffic to large-scale commercial installations built to compliance standard, through to the careful restoration of heritage-listed awnings using original materials and council-approved methods, the team has the right expertise for every project.

Backed by a registered Class 2 Building Practitioner (BUP0003446) and NSW builder’s licence (196494C), the team delivers awning solutions that are structurally sound, aesthetically considered, and built to last in Sydney’s demanding environment.

Building owners wondering if their awning is safe and compliant with the Act should reach out for a low-cost structural safety check via hittps://www.shopawningrepairssydney.com.au.

Michael Antonas
Shop Awning Repairs Sydney
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