City of Albany votes to request trading hours extension after 80 per cent yes result in community consultation

Albany councillors have voted to write to the minister to request the deregulation of the city’s trading hours, which will pave the way for more retail businesses to open on Sundays and later on weeknights.

After a lengthy debate at its June 25 ordinary meeting, the council voted unanimously to apply to Minister for Commerce Sue Ellery for a year-round extension to trading hours for general retail shops.

The decision followed a community consultation by Catalyst Research, which revealed that 80 per cent of more than 11,000 residents voted in favour of Sunday trading and extended weeknight shopping hours.

Cr Thomas Brough, Cr Robert Sutton, and Cr Delma Baesjou expressed reservations about the possible consequences of extending trading hours but said they would respect community sentiment.

“I’m not in favour of Sunday trading, as I don’t like to see the big boys getting more opportunity,” Cr Sutton said.

“I was hoping the vote would be closer so we could have a debate.

“But seeing the vote, how the heck can we not go with this when it was so clear a majority?

“Fortunately or unfortunately, the community has spoken and I will listen.”

Cr Sutton went on to encourage people to support local businesses and “drive in” rather than “drive past”.

Two small business owners and a resident spoke against the motion.

Mark Stanton, who owns the Bottle-O North Road, and Liz Watkins, who owns the Hub on York Street, claimed they had not been adequately consulted.

Mira Mar resident Michael Pemberton said that of the 466 people he surveyed outside the Spencer Park IGA — most of whom were above 65 years old — 70 per cent were against Sunday trading.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the community has spoken and I will listen.

Deputy Mayor Paul Terry countered Mr Pemberton and said that even with the addition of his survey numbers, the majority would still be in favour of deregulation.

The vote was carried 9-0, with business owner Cr Mario Lionetti removing himself from the vote due to an impartiality interest.

City of Albany staff will write to Minister of Commerce Sue Ellery to request that she approve the change.

When unveiling the survey results on June 12, mayor Greg Stocks said the new hours would be instated in February next year, following on from summer extended hours.

“So we’ll start the Christmas trading period as per normal from December through to the end of January . . . then February it’ll just roll on from there and that gives business a little time to adjust knowing that it’s coming,” he said.

A State Government spokesperson said the City’s application would be “considered quickly” once the minister receives it.

The new hours would be 8am to 9pm from Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm on Saturdays, 10am to 5pm on Sundays and public holidays and 12pm to 5pm on ANZAC Day.