Unrestricted trading hours closer for Bunbury

Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan says there is support among councillors for unrestricted trading hours in the city.

Bunbury City Council will tonight debate deregulated hours in Bunbury and whether to ask Minister for Commerce Michael Mischin to sign-off on the move.

If this happens, it would be the biggest shake-up in Bunbury's business sector since seven-day trading was introduced in 2009.

It would also counter unrestricted hours in the Dardanup shire which has allowed Kmart to trade 24/7 at Eaton Fair Shopping Centre.

The decision comes before the council after the Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industries took the formal position to back unrestricted trading late last year.

"My view, and I think it is shared by a number of elected members, is that the market should determine these things - it shouldn't be led by local government," Mr Brennan said.

Mr Brennan said he wasn't expecting the backlash from traders that has been experienced in the past.

However, he said penalty rates were a major factor that would dictate if traders could extend trading hours.

"That is the really big issue the State Government is going to have to look at," Mr Brennan said.

Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industries chief executive officer Ray Philp last week said the modern shopper expected the convenience of extended trading

"You would expect the flexibly of longer hours would be more attractive to a food shop," Mr Philp said.

"It would be interesting to see how many people do shop after hours."

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