By Nicole Stevens, Fremantle-Cockburn Gazette
THE City of Cockburn will consider taking advantage of the State Government’s push to extend retail trading hours into the suburbs by applying to become a tourism precinct.
Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said he would put a notice of motion before councillors at this week’s meeting asking for their support.
If successful, the council will ask Commerce Minister Troy Buswell to include the City of Cockburn in any amended tourism precinct listing.
“I believe this will provide increased opportunities for businesses and remove the draconian and artificial barriers that exist today,” he said.
Mr Howlett said if the City became a listed tourism precinct, trading hours would essentially be to 9pm on weeknights and from 11am to 5pm on Sundays.
The announcement came after Jandakot MLA Joe Francis wrote to the mayor urging the City to consider its options.
Mr Francis said he believed there was genuine support in Cockburn for extended retail trading hours, highlighted by the “excellent turnout” to Sunday trading at Cockburn Gateway shopping centre recently.
“I just don’t think Government should tell businesses when they can and can’t trade. This is the best form of referendum, vote with your money,” he said.
Mr Francis admitted the approach could result in a system of skewed opening and closing times across Perth.
“It is just giving businesses the opportunity to open if they want to. I don’t think there will be any pain. Three weeks ago Cockburn Gateway had Sunday trading and you couldn’t move in the place.”
Mr Howlett said extended trading hours would make the City a destination of choice.
He named Catalpa Coast Tourist Drive, regional parks and the rapidly developing coastal precinct of Port Coogee as unique opportunities for businesses and visitors.
“Cockburn is in one of the fastest-growing and most diverse regions of Western Australia and offers many exciting business development, lifestyle and tourism opportunities,” he said.
“Extended trading hours can and will contribute to that feeling and place us on a par with nearby cities such as Fremantle, Rockingham and Mandurah.”