Published on Wednesday, 9 August 2017 at 12:00:00 AM
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party WA MLC Rick Mazza has thrown his support behind the City of Greater Geraldton’s application for extended general retail trading hours.
In a letter to Mayor Shane Van Styn, Mr Mazza said the benefits to the tourism industry in Geraldton would be huge if the 12-month trial was to go ahead.
“As tourism is a major industry and source of income for retail traders, extended trading hours would obviously benefit local businesses as well as providing additional opportunities and services to visitors and tourists,” Mr Mazza said.
“Extended hours in other local government jurisdictions that are popular with tourists, such as Mandurah, have demonstrated that they are a significant advantage.”
After being passed by Council in February, the application is currently sitting with the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety who have said the Minister for Commerce William Johnston, will make a decision in the coming weeks.
Mayor Van Styn said the City remained confident that the trial would go ahead and added that it was great to have positive support from others in WA.
“It’s refreshing to have support from Mr Mazza given the outright rejection of the trial by the other major party's State representatives, despite overwhelming public support,” Mayor Van Styn commented.
“Our community have told us what they want, with recent surveys showing overwhelming support for the trial. Both the City and Council agree that the flow on effects that extended general retail trading hours will have will be extremely beneficial to our local economy,” he added.
Council’s decision was made on the premise that the trial would stimulate local economic activity, by activating business precincts, and – most importantly, to meet the expressed needs and preferences of the community.
“We have received first hand feedback from visitors to our City in regards to closed shops so this will be a huge boost when it comes to cruise ships here in Geraldton as well as the large number of caravaners who are always making their way through the Midwest,” Mayor Van Styn said.
“This trial is all about activing our community and ensuring we are a destination of choice when people are travelling around WA. I would like to extend a big thank you to Rick Mazza for his support.”
A decision is set to be made in the coming weeks and once decided, retailers will be given sufficient time to ensure necessary measures are in place.
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