Extended trading hours survey circulates

Locals will soon be asked for their opinion about the future of extended trading hours in Geraldton as an online and phone survey circulates.

A 12-month trial of extended general retail trading hours was officially introduced in October last year after given the tick of approval by Minister for Commerce and Industrial Relations Bill Johnston MLA.

Now with three months left in the trial, an independent survey is being conducted by consultants to measure the impact extended trading hours has had on the Geraldton community and local businesses.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn urged people to take the survey if they were called or emailed.

“A sample of our population will be targeted to take the survey via phone or via an online link and I urge those people to have their say as it will have a huge impact on our community,” he said.

“The City has contracted fully independent specialists to conduct the survey to ensure the results best reflect the opinions of our residents and business owners.

“We want to know what is best for our community and therefore we need people to have their say so we can implement the right outcome.”

The survey is currently underway and once the sample is complete a report will be compiled and sent to the Minister for the final decision on extended general retail trading hours in Geraldton.