Baw Baw's footpath trading assessments begin
 Baw Baw News   By // 17:09, Monday 25 August 2014

footpath warragul warragul citizen by william kulich

BUSINESSES in Warragul and Drouin have been visited by Baw Baw Shire officers assessing compliance with the council’s new footpath trading policy.

All businesses in Warragul’s CBD have been assessed and handed a copy of the guidelines and permit applications.


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Assessments in Drouin began last week, and compliance officers will reach Trafalgar and Yarragon next month.

The new policy was implemented in March in an attempt to improve compliance with non-compulsory sections of the commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act, but did not fully comply with act.

The act and the Australian Human Rights Commission advocated for a clear space in front of shops of at least 1.8 metres, while councillors passed the policy with a gap of only 1.5 metres.

In a media release today Baw Baw mayor Murray Cook said that width had been carefully considered.


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“When developing the policy we carefully considered the width of footpaths in our shopping districts and reduced the pedestrian zone from a minimum clear way of 1.8 meters to 1.5 meters,” Cr Cook said.

“We have developed a set of guidelines that are being distributed to each of the businesses. These guidelines outline the responsibilities of the policy in a clear and easy to understand format.

“After 14 days, officers will revisit businesses to ensure they are making the changes to comply with the policy. It has been pleasing to see that a number of permit applications have already been received.”

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