Government says no plans to extend trading hours in WA as council consider Scarborough hours

A proposal to investigate unrestricted retail trading hours in Scarborough will go before the City of Stirling council, but the State Government is not planning to come to the party.

Cr Tony Krsticevic wants the city to examine the potential benefits and pathway to having the Scarborough tourist precinct be classified as an “unrestricted daily trading” precinct.

Cr Krsticevic said at the September council meeting it would allow retailers to trade without the current restrictions and could attract more major retailers to Scarborough and increase activity in the beachfront precinct.

“Having unrestricted trading hours in Scarborough would encourage more large retailers to establish a business in and around the Scarborough tourist precinct, thus supporting an increase in local tourism, boost coastal business revenue, and provide greater convenience for local residents and visitors,” he said.

The proposal highlights Scarborough’s role as a major beach and entertainment destination, with Cr Krsticevic stating that visitors want access to retail services outside standard trading hours “such as early Sunday mornings or late weekend evenings”.

Cr Krsticevic believes longer retail hours could have flow-on benefits for businesses already in the area.

“Extended hours bring more people into the beachfront precinct,” he said.

“Nearby cafes, restaurants, and bars benefit from the extra visitors who stay longer in the area.

“Allowing stores to open according to customer demand rather than fixed State limits helps local shops maximise their revenue during peak summer and holiday periods.”

Cr Krsticevic used Sunday morning grocery shopping as an example of the current restrictions, saying that major supermarkets and general retailers in Scarborough must wait until 11am to open on Sundays.

“If a holidaymaker or local wants to buy groceries at 8am on a Sunday morning before heading to the beach, supermarkets cannot serve them,” he said.

Scarborough resident and ratepayer Amy Dawson supported the idea of earlier opening hours in the beachside suburb, especially on Sunday.

“Scarborough is already a vibrant suburb, with people coming together to enjoy the beaches, cafes and coastal lifestyle, and an 11am opening only adds to the congestion and flooding of people and traffic at an already busy time of day,” she said.

“Starting at 9am would spread activity more evenly, give people greater flexibility with their Sunday and help avoid that 11am rush.”