The trend towards more liberal retail trading hours in WA is gaining momentum with the state government approving extended trading throughout December and the City of Bunbury backing deregulation of trading through the year.
The trend towards more liberal retail trading hours in WA is gaining momentum with the state government approving extended trading throughout December and the City of Bunbury backing deregulation of trading through the year.
The City of Bunbuty has agreed to apply for an exemption from the current laws to allow local shops to trade on weeknights and Sundays.
In Perth, for the first time retailers will be able to trade on all four weekends in December following the state government's announcement today that all metropolitan retail stores will be able to trade from 10am to 5pm, every Sunday in December.
The state government's decision to extend Christmas trading hours has been met with support from both the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Property Council of Australia.
Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia (WA Division) Mr Joe Lenzo has welcomed the changes made by the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection, Hon Sheila McHale.
"After many years of lobbying, we are pleased that the state government has listened and more importantly responded to industry and consumer concerns about Christmas trading hours".
"Allowing all retail shops to trade every Sunday in December will eliminate public confusion surrounding centre opening hours. We also note that the confirmation of this year's Christmas trading hours is four month's earlier than in 2007, giving WA retail owners and managers more time to notify their customers" said Mr Lenzo.
"While there is still no trading on Boxing Day or New Year's Day, today's announcement provides WA consumers with much greater choice and convenience."
Today's announcement applies only to general retail shops in the metropolitan area including those in the Perth and Fremantle Tourism Precincts.
The extensions do not apply to general shops in the City of Rockingham or the localities of Two Rocks and Yanchep, where there are already specific extended trading hours.
A copy of the letter outlining the changes made to Christmas trading hours by the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection, Sheila McHale is attached.
On a related note, the Property Council's South West Chapter is pleased to announce that the City of Bunbury has applied to DOCEP to deregulate trading hours following a meeting of the full Bunbury City Council last night.
This change has been brought about by solid lobbying from the Property Council's South West Chapter and key interested members.
Bunbury's decision to deregulate places further pressure ahead of the state election for all parties to outline their policy stance on trading hours deregulation in the Perth metropolitan area.
A statement by CCI chief executive James Pearson is pasted below:
Commonsense has prevailed with the state's largest regional centre becoming the latest community to recognise the benefits of providing choice and competition to consumers in the local retail sector.
The City of Bunbury is the latest community to recognise the need to overhaul the state's trading laws which impede choice, competition and innovation in the retail sector.
The state's peak business organisation, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, congratulates the City of Bunbury for listening and acting upon the wishes of its residents by seeking state government exemption from the current archaic trading arrangements.
Deregulating shopping hours in Bunbury serves as further evidence that public opinion on the issue has turned.
A recent survey conducted by the Bunbury City Council revealed a majority of the local community favour longer and more flexible shopping hours.
The decision paves the way for Bunbury to further grow and prosper while enhancing its reputation as the economic and retail powerhouse of the state's south west.
This is a monumental decision for local businesses and the community as it will remove unnecessary layers of government red tape and regulation.
It is also pleasing that the erroneous arguments put forward by a small group of local retailers with a vested interest in keeping their competitors closed were ignored.
While CCI congratulates the Bunbury community for embracing a competitive and flexible retail sector, the campaign will continue across the state to ensure all retailers and consumers benefit.
CCI welcomes the Premier Alan Carpenter's pledge to deregulate the state's trading hours and calls on the state opposition to declare their support.
