Controlled shopping conditions reinstated in Mandurah

19/3/94

Fair Trading Minister Peter Foss has responded to an interim resolution by the City of Mandurah to reinstate controlled shopping conditions in the city.

This is in accordance with the State Government's pre-election commitment to allow non-metropolitan local government authorities to decide their own trading hours.

Mr Foss said it was unfortunate that broad consultation had apparently not taken place at Mandurah, prior to the council formally requesting the change.

His letter last year to all non-metropolitan local authorities, stated that Government policy on retail trading hours included a commitment to allow country town trading hours decisions to be determined by relevant local government authorities.

In the letter, Mr Foss said he would approve all local government submissions for extended trading hours in country towns, as long as community consultation had taken place and involved local small businesses and tourism interests.

"It appears that this was not done as broadly as it could have been, but that does not mean that decisions on trading hours should be taken out of local government's hands," Mr Foss said.

Local government authorities should know best their community's needs.  A decision should not be made for them from Perth.

"This is only one of many local government decisions and the first to have struck any problems.

"I have said I will support whatever decision non-metropolitan local government makes about its own trading hours, and will continue to do so.

The City of Mandurah has decided to reverse its decision, and as my policy is to empower local government in this area - I have complied with their request."

As a result, from April 8, shops in Mandurah will return to longstanding local arrangements which, in addition to normal patterns, allow for extended options each Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday during school holiday periods and on public holidays.

Mr Foss said the recent trading hours debate was clearly a local issue of significance and that he was pleased to support the interim decision by council, pending further consideration of a report from a representative local working group convened by the Member for Mandurah, Roger Nicholls.

Media contact:  Jeanne Klener (09)222 9595 / (09)325 8655