City Applies for Extended Trading Hours

The move comes after approximately 75 per cent of surveyed residents responded in favour of extended trading at Garden City Shopping Centre. This was compared with approximately 52 per cent of retailers.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the Council supported the community’s positive response to extended trading hours. 

“The Council believes that extended trading provides residents, and visitors to our City, with more opportunities to shop locally at their convenience – as opposed to going to other areas to shop,” he said. 

“Currently the City of Melville is excluded from the opportunity to have extended trading, whereas our neighbours at South Perth and Fremantle can provide this service to residents.”

“The Council voted in favour of the motion on the basis that extended trading is not compulsory and retailers will have the option of opening or not.”

“Importantly, if the Minister for Commerce agrees to Council’s request, the extended trading period will be subject to a trial period of 12 months. If issues arise during the trial period, Council can request an adjustment to the extended trading timeframes through the Minister and his office.”

The survey was conducted in January 2010 among a random and representative sample of 404 residents and 201 businesses, to determine the level of support for ‘Special Trading Precincts’ in the City of Melville.

Overall, there was support for Garden City Shopping Centre being designated as ‘Special Trading Precinct’.

For the District Commercial Centres, such as Melville Plaza Shopping Centre and Kardinya Shopping Centre, the drive for extended trading hours is being customer driven. 

While a majority of residents and non-retail businesses are in support of District Commercial Centres being designated as ‘Special Trading Precincts’, only a minority of retailers expressed support.