Touts risk penalties

Footpath buzzards get move-on warning

FOOTPATH buzzards who hassle pedestrians for commercial gain have been threatened with steep fines if they continue flouting local laws.

The Cairns Chamber of Commerce has again declared war on touting, an insidious marketing ploy where promotional workers solicit business by persistently and annoyingly pestering passers-by.

Chamber president Nick Loukas said the business community was sick of touting going unpunished.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of complaints received regarding touting in the CBD,” he said.

“It needs to be stressed that this is a prohibited activity and as such should be ceased.”

This is not the first time a battle against touting has been flagged: Cairns Regional Council in 2014 said it would clamp down on businesses that employed the method on local government-owned property.

It remains widespread more than three years later.

The chamber’s CEO Debbie-Anne Bender supported any action required to wipe the practice from the streets.

“We strongly urge anyone touting to thoroughly research and consider the legalities around this activity participating,” she said.

Division 5 Councillor Richie Bates said the council was aware of the growing problem.

“I have in the last month talked about enforcement in this area but I don’t think we have devoted enough manpower to get on top of it,” he said.

“Touts are hard to catch in the act and to make a fine stick, before although we have done a few more lately.”

Fines of $569 can be issued to touts or to businesses being publicised. A chamber spokeswoman said the majority of complaints came from businesses on Shields St.

editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost