DOG’S Bollocks Emporium owner Simon Saint’s relationship with the Shire of York has always been a little testy, but the latest request from council chief executive Ray Hooper has struck him as, well, a little nuts.
Last week, the Shire sent the proprietor a letter requesting that a “strategically positioned leaf” be painted over the testicles of the famed dog on a street-front sign outside the emporium.
Along with the censorship request was a list of other issues relating to planning approvals for the retailer.
The list also pointed out that a recycled jarrah bench seat at the facade of Dog’s Bollocks Emporium was not included in the original approved plans, despite the Shire entering the bench in their community Tidy Town entry last year.
“I will not be putting up the leaf – people love the sign, and visitors stop and take photos of it,” Mr Saint said.
“The Shire has got its priorities all wrong.
“They’ve got to get the main street looking up to scratch.”
Mr Saint had not received one complaint about the sign.
“When the plans for the shop were discussed two years ago, the planner said people might be offended by the sign, so I jokingly suggested putting a fig leaf over the top,” he said.
“But I didn’t think it would actually end up as a condition of approval.”
If the Shire’s leaf request is not adhered to, council could determine a penalty of up to a $50,000 fine for Mr Saint – and an additional $5000 for each day the sign remains in place.
Mr Hooper said the council was simply asking Mr Saint to meet the original planning approvals, which included the fig leaf.
“It makes you wonder if (Mr Saint) had any intent of following the original application,” he said.
Mr Hooper added the Shire was not opposed to the quality of work on the sign, or the need for the emporium in York “but you can’t just retrospectively change what was approved – and expect it to be rubber-stamped.”
Mr Saint has previously been taken to court by the Shire for unapproved signage at Saint’s Diner, the property next door to the emporium that Mr Saint still owns.
He was fined $4000.