REMEMBER WHEN

Wednesday July 23, 1969

A MEETING of all independent retailers in the Southport area was called to discuss the implications of moves for a sixday trading week in Southport.

It was announced by Mr D. Black for the Queensland Retail Traders Association and Mr A. Hooper for the Queensland Shopkeepers Association.

Mr Black said the meeting would discuss the application lodged by the retail association with the Industrial Commission for a six-day trading week for Southport.

All independent retailers, whether or not they were members of the associations, were invited to attend.

The application followed the opening of Woolworths’ $7.5 million Sundale Shopping Centre in Southport.

Proposals for a six-day shopping week drew opposition from traders in Nerang and Scarborough streets.

At the time Southport and Sundale observed a five-and-ahalf day shopping week, closing on Saturday at noon.

The rest of the coastal strip had six-day weeks.

Meanwhile, residents criticised a “plague” of new traffic lights in Surfers Paradise.

The uproar increased after a transport driver was killed instantly at the intersection of Ferny and Ocean avenues, one of the areas that was controlled by lights.

Residents claimed that the lights had led to an increase in traffic noise.

One resident wrote to the Bulletin: “The new sets of lights in town plan residential areas are left turning on to three colours day and night whereas other signals in the built-up area of Surfers Paradise are on amber through the night.”