Extended trading hours for Mandurah will be revisited when city councillors discuss the issue in a workshop in the next few weeks.
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An online poll by the Mail earlier this year showed 90 per cent of residents supported bringing Mandurah's shopping hours in line with those of the Perth metropolitan area.
The poll was conducted following a hard copy petition which garnered 635 signatures and a digital petition that received 780 signatures, both presented to the City of Mandurah in November.
The push for long trading hours is being spearheaded by ISPT, an investment group that owns Lakelands Shopping Centre and has an interest in both the Mandurah and Halls Head forums.
ISPT spokesperson Steve Cuzens said he hoped the Mandurah council would be "encouraged" to follow the example of Narrogin Council, which has extended the town's retail trading hours.
In November, Narrogin Council voted to permit an increase in trading hours to 9pm on weekdays and for limited hours on Sundays and public holidays to "reduce economic leakage to regional town and metropolitan competitors that have large supermarkets open on a Sunday".
"Narrogin council listened to the public and acted accordingly. We are currently missing an opportunity to increase economic activity in the City of Mandurah because residents are taking their money to supermarkets and shops outside of the city on Sundays and weekday evenings," Mr Cuzens said.
Early last year Mandurah councillors voted to shelve plans for a survey into retail trading hours, after it was revealed the study would cost up to six times the initial estimated price.
But in November, following presentation of the petition, the council agreed to revisit the issue.
The issue of completely long trading hours in Mandurah has sparked debate in the city for the past two years.
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While the Shire of Murray fully deregulated trading hours in 2012, Mandurah's hours are currently partially deregulated to allow a seven-day trading regime.
Longer trading hours would allow stores to stay open until 9pm - three hours later than the current enforced closing time.
Mandurah's retail trading hours are among the most restricted in Western Australia.
The digital petition to extend the City of Mandurah's retail trading hours can be found here.
Do you have an opinion on this issue? Send us a letter to the editor by e-mailing editor@mandurahmail.com.au.