Council reins in pushy collectors

LAST year the Grafton Chamber of Commerce brought the attention of the council to the ongoing problem facing businesses caused by "charity collectors".

Grafton Shoppingworld Link where people are often approached by “charity collectors”. . Picture: JoJo Newby

LATE last year, the Grafton Chamber of Commerce and Industry brought to the attention of the council to the ongoing problem facing Prince St businesses caused by "charity collectors" - typically the ones dropped in for the day to collect monthly direct debit commitments.

The chamber surveyed Prince St businesses and constantly received anecdotes of staff and customers being followed down the street, cornered in shop doorways, or taking measures to avoid the area completely (including walking the long way around the rear of the shops to buy lunch).

This meant that on days when these collectors were operating, business and customers were effectively being chased out of the Prince St area.

Many also expressed a level of guilt that these charity collectors were doing an essential task, but also hated for the work they were doing.

While sympathising with the needs and goals of many of these charity groups, the practical implication by using "travellers" working on commission meant that more aggressive methods - following, harassing and cornering people - were taking place without supervision.

Despite calls by council, many of the collection organisations were unable or unwilling to manage their teams closer.

We also had many local charity and sport collectors who were not causing these extreme problems, who should not be penalised for the attitudes and actions of a few loose cannons.

In an effort to find a balance the Grafton Chamber of Commerce and Industry recommended to the Clarence Valley Council that all charity collectors had to use a chair and table, and could not "chase" business, but remain at the location to entice business to come to them.

A notice of motion by Deputy Mayor Cr Craig Howe was supported at the November 2011 ordinary council meeting to introduce controls on street roaming.

And at an ordinary meeting of council on February 21, the following amendments to council's mobile signs, articles, merchandising and entertainment on public land policy were adopted:

Street roaming for the purposes of donation collecting or surveys on the road reserves in the central business districts is prohibited; and donation or survey collectors operating on the road reserves in the central business districts are required to be seated or be located next to a stall, table or similar structure.

Breaches of this should be reported to the council ranger by leaving a message at council reception on 6643 0200.

This will advise the ranger to attend, and enable tracking of repeat offenders for future council discussions with the relevant collection organisations.

Originally published as Council reins in pushy collectors