Do New Signs Send Right Message?

Council's flurry of new signs in The Corso have left locals scratching their heads.  Why so many and why so authoritarian? And can someone please explain why a "No Entry" sign at a plaza intersection is necessary?  For the small window of time that market stalls are set up here surely a ranger can keep an eye on things rather than have this dominating sign discouraging easy access by pedestrians.

What do you think?  Does Manly have too many negative signs?  Are these new signs necessary?