Footpath policy passed after tie

By Melissa Meehan
GREATER Dandenong council will support traders to “lure the impulse shopper” after approving a new footpath trading policy last week.
Councillor Paul Donovan said for many traders in the municipality, footpaths maximised their trade.
Former mayor and current councillor John Kelly voted against the policy after accusing others of not reading the report.
“If you look at some of the street stalls around Greater Dandenong, it’s a dog’s breakfast on a lot of occasions,” he said.
“There often isn’t enough room for people to move past.
“It’s a blight on our city.”
Cr Donovan said while he agreed some shop fronts were “unsightly” it was important that council adopts the policy to make way for alfresco dining in the future.
Councillor Peter Brown said the policy would integrate the type of shopping people in Dandenong like to do.
“People like the hustle and bustle of shopping in Greater Dandenong,” Cr Brown said.
When a division of votes was called, it seemed new councillor Loi Trouong was confused by the voting process – refusing to vote either way.
Once it was explained that he had to vote he voted for the policy to be passed.