IT was an era defined by grunge music, Harry Potter books, the television sitcom Friends, Hollywood blockbuster Titanic and Celine Dion singing that almighty anthem.

It was a time when local sports stars and celebrities would head to the Planet nightclub in Adelaide’s CBD to party and footy fans celebrated two Adelaide Crows premierships.

So is it a sense of nostalgia, or just plain laziness, that the South Australian Government has persisted with this 1990s tourism sign welcoming visitors to the capital, Adelaide?

If you look closely you can see a couple of what appears to be shotgun holes.

Paint splashes across the sign does not appear to have been cleared up in more than four years when The Advertiser last took a picture of the billboard.

The former Donald Bradman stand at Adelaide Oval — since demolished — take pride of place in the picture.

media_camera Stuck in the 1990s — the aging Welcome to Adelaide sign is on the Port Wakefield Road near Virginia. Picture: AAP / Keryn Stevens

“Welcome to Adelaide” it reads.

But at a time when South Australia should be taking great pride in all it has to offer — is this the best we can do?

Opposition tourism spokesman, and long-time decaying signs critic, David Ridgway doesn’t think so.

“It just shows that the government talk the talk on tourism but does not walk the walk,” Mr Ridgway said.

“They are so proud of Adelaide Oval, like we all are, but they can’t even renew the sign so it shows off the redevelopment.

Everyday life in SA in the 1990s (Part 1) media_camera A police officer sends a clown away from a blocked street in 1994. 1 of 47 media_camera March 1991, and the Adelaide Crows’ first AFL match begins. They played Hawthorn at Football Park... 2 of 47 media_camera ... and won their first match, by 86 points. Hawthorn went on to win the Grand Final over West Coast. 3 of 47 media_camera Crows forward Tony Modra takes the mark of the year in 1993. 4 of 47 nav_small_close Want to see more?( 43 more photos in collection )Continue to full gallery nav_small_left nav_small_right

“The photograph looks like it was taken when Trevor Chappell was captain (sic) of Australia.”

The billboard, situated on Port Wakefield Road near Virginia north of Adelaide, is one of many Mr Ridgway says are decaying around the state.

“This one has shotgun holes. It is almost in suburbia. It is not like it is out the back of Cooper Pedy,” he said.

Mr Ridgway said a Liberal Government would renew the signs in consultation with the community.

media_camera One of the better views of Adelaide Oval. Picture: AAP / Mark Brake

Tourism Minster Leon Bignell has changed his tune on the signs.

In 2014, when The Advertiser raised the issue of the state’s decaying tourism signs, Mr Bignell said none of the Regional Gateway signs were earmarked for renewal.

“They do not change travel plans once people are already on the road and the funding required to replace (them) ... would be better spent targeting people when they’re at home planning their next holiday,” he said at the time.

When contacted this week Mr Bignell said the State Labor Government is installing promotional signage along South Australia’s six key touring routes to welcome visitors and highlight some of our must-do experiences.

“A number of welcome signs around key entry and exit points into the state will be updated within the next 12 months, to continue to promote South Australia,” a spokesperson for the minister said.

The Advertiser is seeking clarification as to whether the Port Wakefield Road sign will be one of those replaced.

Retro tourism: South Australia Retro tourism: South Australia

media_camera A busy night markets in Ebenezer Place, in the city’s East End. (AAP/Emma Brasier)

Mr Bignell said a total of 24 signs are in the process of being installed across all six touring routes, marking the start and finish of the drive.

“The signs are designed to encourage visitors to stop and explore the best our local regions have to offer, while contributing important dollars into the local economy,” Mr Bignell said.

“A further 700 smaller signs will mark the journey every 10-20km, making it easier for self-drive visitors to identify the touring routes.

“Wi-Fi hot spots have been installed along the touring routes so visitors can share their experiences in real time, while they are on their trip.

“Chinese language signs were also installed at Adelaide Airport, on our main roads and key spots in the city to coincide with the start of direct China Southern flights from Guangzhou to Adelaide. These signs welcome visitors from China, point to key destinations and improve the overall experience for our international visitors to South Australia.”