22 March 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Shire of Esperance

 

 

Ordinary Council

 22 March 2022

Supplementary Items

 

    

 

16.     URGENT BUSINESS APPROVED BY DECISION

Item: 16.1  

Application for Short Term Adjustment to Retail Trading Hours

Author/s	Trevor Ayers	Manager Community & Economic Development
Authorisor/s	Felicity Baxter	Director Corporate & Community Services

 

File Ref: D22/7709

 

Applicant

Woolworths Supermarkets

 

Location/Address

N/A

 

Executive Summary

A request for additional trading hours over the Easter period has been received from Woolworths Supermarkets.

 

Recommendation in Brief

That Council support an application to the Department of Commerce for the addition of Monday 18^th April 2022 between 10am and 4pm, as additional retail trading hours within the Shire of Esperance.

 

Background

An application has been received by Woolworths for two additional trading days over this year’s Easter period (see Attachment A), with support for one of additional days confirmed by the Esperance Chamber of Commerce and Industry (see Attachment B).

 

With the increase in tourist numbers experienced in the past two years, an additional trading day is likely to assist adequately service the additional visitors in town. An application for additional hours over the 2021 Christmas period was supported for the same reasons.

 

Officer’s Comment

The request by Woolworths Supermarkets is considered reasonable this year given both the higher number of visitors in town currently being experienced than normal. With support being received from the Esperance Chamber of Commerce and Industry for only one of the requested days only the supported day is being recommended as support from the local trader organisation is a requirement element of an application.

 

The recommendation proposes that any trading extension is applicable to the entirety of the Shire rather than just Woolworths (as per the application received) to ensure all businesses in town are on a level playing field. It is important to note that an extension to retail trading hours provides an opportunity for traders to open for the additional period, not a requirement that they do so.

 

The majority of retailers in town do currently have the capacity to receive an exemption to open at any time, provided they meet the Department of Commerce’s definition of a small retail business and have applied for an exemption certificate.

 

Endorsement of this recommendation by Council doesn’t confirm a change, it simply provides the mechanism to apply to the State Government, with the Minister for Commerce being the decision-making body.

Consultation

This application has been discussed with the Executive Officer of the Esperance Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who has advised that it was debated by the Chamber Board who have no objection to the requested extension.

 

Financial Implications

Nil

 

Asset Management Implications

Nil

 

Statutory Implications

The statutory implications associated with this item are governed by the Retail Trading Hours Act 1987. Any change (both temporary and permanent) requires recommendation by the relevant local government and approval by the Minister for Commerce.

 

Policy Implications

Nil

 

Strategic Implications

Strategic Community Plan 2017 - 2027

Growth And Prosperity

Esperance is a vibrant and welcoming destination

Lead the promotion of Esperance as a destination of choice

 

Environmental Considerations

Nil

 

Attachments

a⇩.	Request for Additional Trading Days - Woolworths Supermarkets
b⇩.	Esperance Chamber of Commerce and Industry Correspondence

 

 

Officer’s Recommendation   That Council support an application to the Department of Commerce for the addition of Monday 18th April 2022 between 10am and 4pm, as additional retail trading hours in the Shire of Esperance. Voting Requirement                       Simple Majority