Community voices strong opinion on retail trading hours

Published on Wednesday, 12 June 2024 at 9:00:00 AM

More than 11,000 residents took the City’s Retail Trading Hours survey last month, exceeding the City’s participation expectations and providing robust data for the Council decision at the end of June.

These individuals took the survey via either a closed survey link that was emailed to a controlled group of residents, or an open survey link that was available on the City’s website.

The City also undertook youth and community group surveys, while Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry coordinated a survey of local businesses.

When it comes to Sunday Trading, the results from the community survey which was accessed via the open link was 80% in favour and 20% opposed and the closed survey obtained a similar response of 78% in favour and 22% opposed.

The youth survey results were 81% in favour and 19% opposed while 27% of community groups said the impact would be positive, 33% said it would be negative and 40% said there would be no impact.

The survey of all businesses resulted in 76% in favour and 24% opposed. However, when looking at the tourism industry, the results are 85% in favour and 15% opposed.

When it comes to Weeknight Extended Trading, the results for the community survey which was accessed via the open link was 80% in favour and 20% opposed and the closed survey obtained a response of 73% in favour and 27% opposed.

The youth survey results were 86% in favour and 14% opposed while 33% of community groups said the impact would be positive, 20% said it would be negative and 47% said there would be no impact.

The survey of all businesses resulted in 75% in favour and 25% opposed. However, when looking at the tourism industry the results are 85% in favour and 15% opposed.

Mayor Greg Stocks thanked residents for taking the time to have their say.

“There have been more than 11,000 genuine responses to this community survey which tells us that it was absolutely the right time to go back to community on this important topic,” he said.

“The feedback we have received will play a crucial role in shaping the future of retail trading hours in Albany, aiding the Council to make decisions that reflect the needs and preferences of our residents.

“It is now up to the Council to analyse the data in front of them and make an informed decision about whether to make a change to Albany’s retail trading hours, or not.”

The Council will make their decision regarding whether or not to apply to the Minister requesting a change to Albany’s retail trading hours, or not at the June Ordinary Council Meeting on 25 June.

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