By Melissa Meehan
UPPER Beaconsfield residents will have to find somewhere else to pick up their local paper as Cardinia Shire Council’s new footpath trading code comes into play.
Peter Darbyshire from the Upper Beaconsfield Post Office says the new by-laws have forced his business to cancel all deliveries of local newspapers because there is now no room for them.
“We used to have them in baskets outside the door,” he told the Gazette.
“But with the new by-laws we can’t do that and we have nowhere else to put them.”
Under the code, traders can no longer place items up against the wall of their shops – instead they must allow a 1.5 metre clearway.
Mr Darbyshire said allowing this space for the newspaper baskets wasn’t possible because they would then be too close to the road and blow away.
The Footpath Trading Code came into effect on 1 August this year after 12 months of investigations into footpath trading throughout the shire.
Manager of Local Laws Alan Giachin said the code was introduced to maintain a balance between pedestrian safety and access combined with the activity of traders.
“The code is designed to ensure shopping experience in Cardinia Shire remains as enjoyable as possible for everyone with outdoor dining and selling experiences,” he said.
“Many other councils with strip shopping areas have similar policies.”
He said the aim of the code was to uphold the council’s responsibility to manage and maintain pedestrian safety, traffic flow and improve visual amenity.
