A temporary truce of sorts has been called between CBD shop owners and Tenterfield Shire Council regarding the display of flags, after deputy mayor Greg Sauer intervened on the shop owners’ behalf.
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The matter came up at Wednesday’s council meeting on the back of a report submitted by strategic planning and environmental services director James Ruprai, recommending a council workshop be convened to review the signage requirements contained in the 2014 Development Control Plan.
After receiving a complaint voicing concerns that flagging outside a business premise could cause a traffic accident, council staff conducted an ‘audit’ of non-compliant signage, somewhat overzealously according to Cr Sauer and the businesses involved.
Twenty-five premises were identified as displaying flags or bunting prohibited under the plan, receiving letters requesting the offending items be removed. (To further aggravate the business operators, the letter was dated October 28 and the deadline for removal was 5pm, October 2.)
Cr Sauer raised the concerns of the business operators, and requested that council take no further action until a workshop can be conducted and the matter fully reviewed.
“This doesn’t present council in a good light,” he said.
Speaking later to the Star, Cr Sauer said perhaps the repercussions of the guidelines contained in the Development Control Plan weren’t fully appreciated back in 2014.
“The devil’s in the detail,” he said.
“While the display of the flags and bunting are inappropriate under the current policy and council was entitled to take action, the reaction – I believe – was an over-the-top response to a complaint. Hopefully commonsense will prevail.”
Jeff and Carole Smith of the Tenterfield Fish Shop are furious at what they consider to be a restraint of trade, and continue to fly their flag in defiance.
“If motorists are going to get distracted by our flag, then they shouldn’t be driving,” Mrs Smith said.
“Without the flag people don’t realise the shop is open, even with the door pulled back.”
Mr Smith agreed, saying one of his fellow business operators pulled in her flag and didn’t get a customer for three days.
“People are battling to pay charges,” he said.
“This is a restraint of trade by not allowing us to advertise.
“We’re disappointed that council doesn’t get behind the businesses. You’d think they’d be trying to help, not hinder.”
Mr Smith was also concerned by the lack of consultation on the matter.
Trish Parker of Sullivan’s Newsagency also received one of the letters, and disputed that the flag in question is even on public property.
“It’s been here the four years since we took over, and Michael (Sullivan, the previous business owner) had it long before that,” she said.
“This was a complaint about one business, and it ended up in a blanket ban.”
John Landers of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Support Group which operates the op shop in High Street was incensed when directed to remove the shop’s flags, particularly when the shop is located off the main street, fronting one-way traffic.
He was rallying the troops to make a stand, despite being told that $3000 fines could be imposed for non-compliance.
“You could shoot someone and not have to pay that,” he said.
“What are they trying to do to the town? A lot of businesses are struggling, and can’t even pay their rent.
“I was in Lismore last week and there’s bunting and flags everywhere. What’s the harm?
“We’ve got to be sensible about it.”
He’s more bothered by footpath area being given over to tables and chairs and coffee shop signs.
In his report Mr Ruprai said council’s concern with the flags was not only visual hazards and any impact on council’s insurances, but also the detraction from the zone’s heritage characteristics.