And Mr Pennings slammed the council's administration for failing to protect its intellectual property, claiming it had "rolled over" to its political masters at City Hall.
Under council rules, the council's distinctive pattern of alternating yellow and blue blocks down the left-hand-side of official council documents must not be used for political purposes.
Team Quirk, led by Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, is repeating a tactic it used successfully in the 2012 poll by once again campaigning extensively with roadside billboards, footpath signs and letterbox and other printed material that contains a copycat council cleat that The Independent has argued for years is used for no other reason than to make voters think it is the official cleat and that Team Quirk therefore has some form of official support from council.
"The LNP's use of Brisbane City Council's colours and cleating is underhand, unethical, and blatant cheating, Mr Pennings said in response to questions from The Independent. "They are attempting to very closely associate the LNP with the positive BCC brand, even to signify some sort of BCC support.
"The LNP seem to increasingly see Brisbane City Council as their personal fiefdom. Political appointees and a 90 person strong marketing team keep the spin rolling, in what is now LNP branding.
"Any other company in the world would fight tooth and nail to protect their brand. Brisbane City Council instead rolls over and accepts this appropriation by a political party taking it, and the voters, for granted."
Top: Team Quirk election posters for the 2016 campaign. Above: The official council cleat on a bus timetable near the Valley mall.
