Margaret River Business Network calls in Advocacy WA to streamline policies to help main street traders

The region’s recently rebranded chamber of commerce has asked Advocacy WA to help in negotiations regarding a Shire of Augusta-Margaret River policy designed to help local businesses. However, the Margaret River Business Network says the Shire’s alfresco dining policy isn’t the right approach to help traders enliven the town’s main strip. In fact, the business sector saw the policy as creating more difficulties for traders while also not helping disability access or drawing more punters. Frustrated business operators told the Times it was difficult to get approval for alfresco dining permits, mostly because of a contentious 2m requirement for open space not really possible at the front of some businesses. MRBN chief executive Annie McFie said discussions with the Shire were ongoing and positive, and Advocacy WA was called in by the MRBN as the peak group representing people with disabilities. “In practice, the current alfresco policy has proven challenging for businesses to access,” she said. “The MRBN is actively engaging with the Shire as well as consulting with Advocacy WA to reassess this policy. “Reports from main street MRBN members indicated challenges in navigating the requirements related to the 2m ‘shoreline’. “It was fantastic to hear from Advocacy WA that there are alternative models that may work to ensure accessibility, improve experience for vision-impaired community members, while also allowing for greater commercial usage and activation of our footpaths.” Other businesses said the alfresco policy did not deliver the goodwill expected after many traders faced hardship during the year-long main street redevelopment project. One operator who asked not to be named because he was worried about the effects on pending approvals said businesses shrugged off the difficulties while the street was closed because the Shire pledged to help “activate” the main strip once finished. A Shire spokesperson said consultation with main street traders continued to inform any review of the alfresco policy. “Advocacy WA have offered and provided advice on making the main street as accessible as possible for people with disabilities as the Shire is keen to understand the best method for activating the street and ensuring it is as accessible as possible,” the spokesperson said. “They are not ‘brokering talks’. “It should also be noted, that we’re further considering the Shire’s alfresco policy in response to suggestions from main street traders.” Advocacy WA did not respond to Times inquiries.