Penalties review

DOUBLE or triple time paid to staff on the Clarence Valley's half-day holidays could be a thing of the past.

DOUBLE or triple time paid to staff on the Clarence Valley's half-day holidays could be a thing of the past.

Clarence Valley Council is asking businesses, event organisers and the general public whether they would like to see the four half-day holidays scrapped next year in favour of declaring them "local event days" which would mean employers weren't obliged to fork out high hourly rates.

Mayor Richie Williamson said comment was needed for the Clarence Valley Council to consider before advising the NSW Department of Industrial Relations of proposed local public holidays for 2013.

"This usually involves Mac- lean Show day, Ramornie Handicap and Grafton Cup days, and Jacaranda Thursday," Cr Williamson said.

"Council has invited stakeholders and the public to comment by August 31 on the option of local event days as an alternative to half-day local public holidays, as requested by NSW Industrial Relations."

Cr Williamson said NSW Industrial Relations describes local event days as a time of special significance to the community in the area concerned.

"According to the description, the declaration of a local event day or half day does not preclude banks or shops located within the designated holiday area from opening or trading on the days concerned," Cr Williamson said.

Affected event organisers, local chambers of commerce and members of the public have been invited to comment by the end of this month.

The issue will be referred to council after the September 8 election.

Go to council's website clarence.nsw.gov.au for more information.

Originally published as Penalties review