Petition supports roadside trader
Almost 700 people have come out in support of a roadside trader operating near Logan Park, Warragul.
A petition signed by 681 people has been formally received by Baw Baw Shire and will be considered as a submission to the draft roadside and footpath trading community consultation process.
Petitioners said they supported the roadside stall on the nature strip adjacent to Exhibition Hall and Logan Park and supported its sale of berries, flowers and plants.
The petitioners also stated they did not agree to a fee being introduced for roadside trading permits that propose to be in line with central business district overheads.
A draft policy has been presented to council and then put out for public consultation. Council is waiting to receive a report on the submissions received.
The draft policy outlines a proposed fee schedule for roadside traders with the fees charged dependent on the trader’s proximity to the central business district of towns.
Council received the petition last week and will consider the petition as a submission to the draft roadside and footpath trading policy public consultation process.
Cr Danny Goss said he raised the matter of roadside trading with council in February when he asked for a report about council’s current policy and fees.
He said the petition was received after council had released the draft policy for feedback.
Cr Goss originally called for the report to investigate all aspects of roadside trading in the shire to ensure fair and equal competition between traders.
The scale of registration fees for roadside trading fees is proposed to be based on whether the trader is within a designated area, generally within one kilometre of the town’s post office.
The permit fees in the draft policy show a monthly roadside permit will be $510. Longer term permits within the designated town areas will be $2244 for six months or $3672 per year. One off daily fees of $204 also will be available. Outside the designated one kilometre town boundaries, roadside traders will pay $255 per month, $1122 for six months, $1836 annually or $102 per day.