Council rejects licence renewal for Coral Bay business offering Australia Post services from van

The Shire of Carnarvon has rejected a request for a licence renewal which would see the applicant continue to provide Australia Post services from a site in Coral Bay.

In March, the Shire provided a three-month trading licence to allow the applicant to operate out of an expandable trailer van at the northern end of Banksia Drive on lot 800.

The site is zoned for tourism and Shire president Eddie Smith said the licence application did not satisfy local government requirements.

“The applicant was seeking to deliver Australia Post services and sell goods and merchandise, including Lotterywest products from this site. As this is not consistent with the Local Planning Scheme No. 13, Council resolved to not approve the application,” he said.

“The Shire acknowledges that its Coral Bay Mobile Trading Policy contradicts the town’s planning scheme.

“Therefore, the policy has also been revoked by Council.”

Mr Smith said traffic issues at the location of the site was another contributing factor to councillors opting to not support the applicant’s request.

He said Coral Bay residents would have access to similar news-agency services elsewhere.

“The needs of the district are adequately catered for in relation to aspects of the application, specifically clothing, stationery and newspapers,” he said.