Chamber protests 'hard ball' on signs

The Umina District Chamber of Commerce is calling on local businesses affected by Gosford Council's "hard ball" approach to A-frame advertising signs on public footpaths to come together unanimously and fight for a suitable compromise to the policy.

Chamber president Ms Sharon Martin said it was important for the local business community and chambers in the Gosford local government area to join together and negotiate a policy that worked for business and community.

"Council has reported to me that they are enforcing the Roads Act of 1993 that states you cannot place anything this is likely to injure any person or damage any vehicle or restrict of endanger the use of a road by the public to interfere with public convenience," Ms Martin said.

"We have two issues that the Chamber will be lobbying council on.

"Firstly will be the interpretation of that regulation and secondly on the interpretation of the meaning of road and footway.

"The chamber will not be challenging the council on the enforcement of the AS 1428 Design for Access and Mobility.

"I have called upon our adjacent chambers and businesses to come into support so we can put together a petition and sit with council to come to a compromise which will work for business and community.

"We will not achieve this unless we come together as one."

However, council would not comment on whether it would come to an agreement with local business owners on the matter or how it would address community concern against the policy.

Council's acting director of corporate services Mr Brian Shackleton did confirm that A-frames were not permitted under any circumstances and business owners could not apply for a licence to advertise on the footpath.

"Policies are reviewed and placed on exhibition for comment after each council election - this would be the most appropriate time for community members to provide comment on these policies," Mr Shackleton said.

"There is currently no indication that the policy will be changed."

Mr Shackleton said council officers would continue to conduct regular compliance inspections and act on complaints.

"Business owners are notified in writing and/or in person of the requirements under the policy and guidelines," Mr Shackleton said.

"Clothing racks and other approved display material for the purpose of street vending is permitted after the appropriate licence approval has been obtained from council."

Mr Shackleton said the objective of the policy was to permit the limited business use of public footpaths for street vending purposes, directly outside suitable businesses throughout the Gosford LGA and to help retailers with promotion of their businesses to an ever increasing competitive field.

Ms Martin said the objective was not being met.

"Council is taking a hard ball approach to this act with no lenience or understanding to the business needs to advertise their business," Ms Martin said.

"Taking a look down some of our streets, they look like ghost towns where business look closed.

"Some smaller businesses in side streets will suffer a great fall in business with patrons not being able to identify location or opening and closing times."

Mr Shackleton said the policy's aim was also to minimise disruption to neighbouring businesses and surrounding environment by regulating and monitoring approved business activities on public footpath and to ensure suitable pedestrian thoroughfare zone is available along the footpath for all road users.

Press release, 15 Feb 2010 Sharon Martin, Umina District Chamber of Commerce