Struggling businesses in Port Macquarie have said a “signage” stance taken by council has crippled trade further, in an already tough marketplace.
Council has reinforced its motion to disallow billboard signage and stands on any public land, which includes the footpaths outside businesses.
In a nutshell, retailers who would usually promote their daily specials and products on small sign boards out the front of their shops, or use basketstands for pamphlets or promotional materials, can no longer do so – or not without legal action being taken against them.
That means, for example, a local hairdresser cannot promote a daily style special, the butcher his budget cuts of the day, a café its daily food special – to name a few.
This, several business owners have said, is the “bread and butter” of their trade – and now it has been stripped from them.
Official letters were issued by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to businesses recently stating the placing of advertising signs/items on Pulic Land is not permitted.
“Your attention is directed to the Roads Act 1993 and specifically the requirements of Clause 11(1) (b) of the Roads Regulation 2008, which states: A person must not place on the road anything that is likely to restrict or endanger the public or interfere with public convenience,” the letter stated.
“NOTE: The above act defines footways as “that part of a road as is set aside or formed as a path or way for pedestrian traffic’.
“Your attention is also directed to Council’s Activities in Public Places Policy. At the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council meeting held on February 15, 2012, council resolved: “That permanent display of goods on footpath will not be approved by the council’.
“In accordance with the abovementioned legislation and Council Policy you are hereby requested to remove any item on Public Land and footpaths without approval.
“Council’s rangers have been instructed to patrol this area and any breaches of the afformentioned requirements will result in further legal action being initiated.”
Council’s Development and Environmental Com-pliance Team Leader Ranger Services Ian Chetcuti invited businesses to contact him, should they have any queries.
Further, a council spokes-woman said, “The proposed changes to the policy were on public exhibition late last year and no submissions were received and thus the policy was adopted when it went back to council in February.
“Implementation of the policy is why businesses are now being talked to by council compliance officers.”
But that does not ease the squeeze on trade, say local business owners.
“It’s not just the fact that we miss passing trade, but also customers miss out on specials which they would not otherwise know about,” a trader in the CBD said.
“It is hurting our purse-strings, and I bet it is hurting a lot of customers too.”
