The leaders of the campaign to re-raise the Starlight drive-in theatre sign remain concerned about a lack of commitment to fully restore the popular neon advertisement.
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Rescue committee member Laurie McDonald said the language used by the ACT government, which agreed to take ownership of the sign in late July, did not encourage hopes it would be returned to its former glory.
"Our biggest concern is the use of the word repair, rather than restore, consistently being used across all communication with government," she said.
"We think that's quite deliberate."
Turner-based Philip Leeson Architects has been preparing a works application since mid-August.
A spokeswoman for ACT Heritage revealed on Friday the National Capital Authority had given a "clear indication" it would not object to sign being re-raised near its home of more than 50 years on the Federal Highway at Watson.
"The [works application] will need to include reports on the impacts of the lights on the adjacent apartments, documentation from Roads ACT as well as consultation with the owners of the Starlight Apartments," she said.
The spokeswoman said formal NCA approval was needed.
She said she hoped the works on the repair of the sign could commence while the authority was considering the application, but ACT Heritage had no date for when it would be submitted.
"The extent of repair work has not been finally established as the extent of repair work needs to be agreed with Roads ACT and the National Capital Authority ... [and] consider issues such as light spill, maintenance and vandalism," the spokeswoman said.
"ACT Heritage anticipate that the original neon Starlight Drive-In sign will be repaired using original fabric where possible but replacing missing fabric and/or fabric that is beyond reasonable repair."
An online petition which called for the sign's full restoration now has more than 1000 signatures.
Katy Gallagher commented on a Facebook link to the petition on Monday, where she restated her commitment to "repair and reinstate" the sign.
"The Starlight sign is an icon of Canberra and it's great to see so many of you want it back to its former glory," she said.