Retail trading hours in regional Western Australia will remain the decision of regional communities, Premier Alan Carpenter said today.
This week, Mr Carpenter declared the State Government’s support for deregulated trading hours in the metropolitan area, but stated that existing rules and regulations would remain in place in regional WA.
“WA’s Retail Trading Act allows for regional shire or council areas below the 26th parallel to choose their own shopping hours, based on demonstrated community support through consultation and consideration,” he said.
“These local government authorities outside Perth can apply to the Department of Consumer Protection to extend their trading hours in their district beyond standard trading hours.
“Above the 26th parallel, the Act does not apply and many communities take advantage of seven-day trading, but in other regional areas it is up to local councils to canvass and reflect community opinion.”
The Premier said about 19 municipalities across regional WA were currently operating under a variety of trading hour models.
For example, in Denmark, shops could trade from 8am to 9pm seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Mr Carpenter said Busselton had normal trading hours during the week, but shops could trade from 11am to 4pm on Sundays, and 8am to 6pm on public holidays (excluding Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day).
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