Darren Taylor claims Gold Coast cafes and restaurants afraid to speak out about ‘unfair’ council fines
Council action against cafes and restaurants has been branded ‘unfair’ – but owners are said to be too afraid to take speak out.
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A GOLD Coast election candidate claims Glitter Strip businesses are scared to speak out over “unfair” fines for fear of being targeted.
Division 10 candidate Darren Taylor, son of current councillor Paul Taylor, revealed he has been contacted by multiple restaurants in Broadbeach and Main Beach who have been fined over outdoor seating.
City Council requires businesses to apply for a permit and provide the exact dimensions of their outside dining area, meaning fines if they move outside their boundaries.
Mr Taylor claims the issue had become a “common frustration” raised with him throughout the community.
“We need to be ensuring our inspectors are here not just to fine businesses but to support them,” he said.
“Businesses struggle as it is with cost of rent and wages, and a lot of these places are paying up to $12-15,000 for the extra space to trade.
“It is important we have these inspectors, we’re not here to take their job away, but it’s important they (work with) the businesses instead of just throwing fines around.”
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