Toy Kingdom owner Rod Ferguson, Pakenham Bookshop owner Greg Marshall and Sports Power Pakenham co-owner Ali Fromhold are concerned about Cardinia Shire Council’s footpath trading code. 33008 Picture: Luke Plummer
By Melissa Grant
TRADERS have lashed out at a council policy that will see outdoor dining and trading scaled back in Pakenham’s Main Street.
They say having to move tables, chairs, trestles and other items 1.5 metres away from their shops is ludicrous and are outraged that they weren’t consulted about the changes.
The Cardinia Shire Council is introducing a footpath trading code in a bid to improve pedestrian safety and access and to ensure compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1992.
Under the new guidelines, traders won’t be able to place items against the wall of their shops – they have to provide a 1.5-metre clearway from their building lines and 0.6 metres from the kerb to ensure a continuous path of travel for pedestrians. Some business owners say their trade will drop if they are unable to put their trestles out in the street, while the changes will also see fewer people dining outdoors at some eateries.
Pakenham Discounts owner Terry Baldwin said moving trestles 1.5 metres away from shop fronts would make it easier for pedestrians to steal items from them. He said his trade would be reduced by as much 30 per cent if he couldn’t place trestles out on the street.
“That’s how small business works – advertising and promoting your wares,” Mr Baldwin said.
Great Australian Bakehouse owner Neil McLatchie said he would be able to have only two chairs per table instead of three.
He said nobody had complained about disability access in the seven years he had owned the bakery.
“It’s ludicrous,” he said.
Toy Kingdom owner Rod Ferguson said the new guidelines would spell the end of the $2 kids’ car ride outside his shop, while Cafe 127 owner Michelle Mathes said tables and chairs would have to be moved away from her building’s window.
Pakenham Bookshop owner Greg Marshall said the pavement in front of his shop was quite wide and he was hopeful common sense would prevail, particularly considering the economic times.
“The last thing we want is for our stuff to have to be taken off the street,” he said.
Mr Baldwin was angry he only learnt of the code when he received an unsigned letter from the council.
“Who do I ring up to talk about it? I cannot believe there has been no consultation.”
The aim of the Cardinia Footpath Trading Code 2009 is to maintain a balance between pedestrian access and trader activity.
A report on the code stated that the council had a legal obligation to provide a safe environment for all people to move through the shire, and part of this was to provide a continuous path of travel.
Pakenham Business Group (PBG) president Michael Porter said pedestrians were being forced to weave in between seating and trestles in some retail areas.
He said the code would at least ensure a uniform set-up along Main Street.
Traders have until 31 August to comply with the code.
