General News
5 August, 2023
Footpath fees: working towards consistency
DISGRUNTLED shopkeepers have been urged to work with Loddon Shire to comply with Federal and State Government regulations. Operations director Steven Phillips and compliance manager David Price told Inglewood traders last week they did not want to...
DISGRUNTLED shopkeepers have been urged to work with Loddon Shire to comply with Federal and State Government regulations.
Operations director Steven Phillips and compliance manager David Price told Inglewood traders last week they did not want to be dictatorial in implementing permit compliance for footpath signs and display of goods.
“We have to manage issues ... that’s the purpose of the permit and this will be about compromise for everyone,” Mr Phillips told the meeting of Inglewood Tourism and Development.
“Council has a risk to manage. The permit process will involve an evaluation (of the application) and that may need modifications,” he said.
Mr Price said council had received 10 permit applications since writing to traders last month on meeting footpath rules under disability access legislation.
Traders have also been critical of the revised fee structure, however, Inglewood trader Denise Gartside said the Loddon fee were low compared with other nearby municipalities.
She said her Brooke Street business had received a disability access compliance certificate after an assessment in 2018.
Faye Orange, who co-ordinates the town’s Ambulance Auxiliary Op Shop, said display of goods had met Ambulance Victoria requirements and “have never paid a council fee”.
Mr Phillips said: “We are at the beginning of a long journey with a poor history of inconsistency (of issuing permits and compliance.”
Carey Imms said businesses putting goods on the footpath encouraged impulse buying and showed the town was open.
Mr Phillips said council had to manage risk and there were hardship policies to assist business and fee waivers available for community organisations.
A move to waive fees for a year failed at last week’s council meeting.