Barren footpaths

FOOTPATHS have been left bare outside some Loddon shops after the shire council last week told businesses they had to pay for permits.

Residents says the stripping of footpaths of signs and goods has left some local towns looking closed.

“It sucks,” said Inglewood’s Frank Pane after Sharpe’s Bazaar took stock inside and removed a bench seat used by locals for their daily chats. “It’s not sending the right message to people.”

Horseworld’s Carey Imms has moved her shop front display into door recesses of historic buildings in Brooke Street.,

“I’ve never been asked to pay a fee before ... I’m prepared to pay a flat fee,” she said.

Gaylia Bell, of Loddon Larder, said: “We look shut, we look like a ghost town.”

Inglewood traders said people had faced a greater risk tripping on raised and indented sections of the footpath than goods and signs displayed by businesses.

Fusspots Catherine Norman said: “We have been using the display outside our store to cover footpath holes.”

And she says requirements on placing displays away from buildings and near gutters increased risk. “People could trip on a sign near the gutter and fall or the sign could blow out onto the road and cause an accident.”

“And there’s an increased risk we could lose business because of the letter from council telling us we have to have permits for each item,”

A vintage cigarette butt bin

Catherine had placed outside her store to reduce litter, an item she said would need a $56.70 permit, has also been removed.

In Tarnagulla, where an old piano sits on the footpath for peo- ple to stop and play, Commercial Road resident Joan Ansell said: “I don’t find it a problem ... quite a good idea and I just wish it was played more.”

Other traders said they had been paying a fee for many years. Wedderburn Fish Shop’s Jenny Round said she was happy to pay the fee for a sign, two tables and chairs outside her shop.