The best way to support local businesses is to shop there, says Dubbo Regional mayor Ben Shields.
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Comments have been raised with the mayor about itinerant traders - that is people who have mobile or temporary businesses - and the pros and cons of allowing them to do business in Dubbo.
The issue was raised recently after a fishing business, which is based in Sydney, hired a pavilion at the Dubbo Showground for the weekend. It sparked discussion about allowing businesses to trade in Dubbo when they're offering the same wares in local stores.
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The showground is used about 70 per cent of the year. In 2018 there were 117 events across 176 days at the venue. Of those, almost 60 per cent involved livestock or animals.
Addressing the concerns about itinerant traders on his Mayor of Dubbo Facebook page, Cr Shields said there were pros and cons to having them in the city.
The best thing we can all do is be mindful of supporting local business - 365 days a year.
- Mayor Ben Shields
"We know the cons. They do tend to take money out of the region. And then there are the pros, that they offer choice and they may decide to open up shop permanently after trialling the region," he said.
But it can take business away from local traders.
"It's understandable that local retailers feel this is unfair as they pay rates, rent, employ locals and contribute to the local economy," Cr Shields said.
The fishing business was in Dubbo from Friday to Saturday. While normally based in Sydney, after a strong following from Dubbo customers they added the city to the list of places they would bring their monster fishing pop-up sale.
The goal of the pop-up was to 'make fishing affordable' and to 'get kids off the Xbox and into a tackle box'. It seemed to do a strong trade during the three days.
While some have called for the itinerant traders to be banned from the Showground, Cr Shields said it wasn't possible.
"The reality is that while the Showground is council controlled, it is run as a business. It would be a legal minefield to start choosing who and who can not hire the facilities," the Dubbo mayor said.
"Regardless of the views people have on itinerant traders, under current policy arrangements, councils ability to stop these traders operating is limited."
"The best thing we can all do is be mindful of supporting local business - 365 days a year."
Orlander Ruming
Deputy editor at the Daily Liberal, covering council, politics, human interest stories, community news and everything in between.
Deputy editor at the Daily Liberal, covering council, politics, human interest stories, community news and everything in between.
