General News
13 July, 2023
Footpath crackdown angers traders
SHOPKEEPERS are up in arms with Loddon Shire’s rollout of new fees for footpath signs and displays. Some businesses are facing an annual permit bill of several hundred dollars while others have been told for the first time that they need a permit...
SHOPKEEPERS are up in arms with Loddon Shire’s rollout of new fees for footpath signs and displays.
Some businesses are facing an annual permit bill of several hundred dollars while others have been told for the first time that they need a permit.
A flat fee of $28.90 for furniture outside cafes has been changed to $20 a table and $10 a chair.
Traders started receiving letters from council on Monday
Council operations director Steven Phillips said the shire’s new community law adopted last year included changes to permit requirements.
But traders have been left angry with the crackdown.
Wedderburn’s Tammy Martin said it was the first time in 17 years husband Cam had seen a letter from council requiring their butcher shop to obtain a permit an A-frame.
“We’d be happy to pay if the council cleaned the footpaths and gutters,” she said.
And Inglewood antique store owner Catherine Norman said it was the first time in eight years that her business had been told it needed to pay for a permit to display signs and goods on the footpath.
Mr Phillips said: “This financial year council has written to all businesses that place items on the footpath or nature strip advising and reminding of the permit requirements.
“Going forward, council’s approach is to improve consistency across the Shire for premises having permits.”
Mr Phillips said the new fee structure “enabled a system to cater for both smaller and larger businesses, depending upon the amount or scale of items they intend to place out on the footpath”.
Council has also cited the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 for its crackdown.
It said the Act required a “continuous accessible path of travel to allow people with a range of abilities to use the footpath without encountering barriers”.
Mr Phillips said: “Tables and chairs, displayed goods and advertising signs placed against the property line and shop front is therefore not permitted.
“Permit holders must ensure a clear and consistent passageway for pedestrians ordinarily passing by the premises and at road intersections. This is especially important for those with limited vision and persons on mobility scooters.”
Mr Phillips said the new fees in council’s budget did not receive any comments during community consultations.