WODONGA Chamber of Commerce has issued a carefully worded response to the Hovell Street closure.
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The chamber met on Friday for the first time since the plan to close the central Wodonga street erupted last month.
“The Wodonga Chamber of Commerce urges all members that may be affected by the proposed closure of Hovell Street to attend the information session on June 13 or contact the chamber to discuss,” it reads.
“We have requested that Wodonga Council investigates any possible negative impact that the closure of Hovell Street may have on surrounding businesses and inform the chamber and affected businesses.”
The chamber is under pressure from local traders to fight the Hovell Street decision, but at the same time is largely funded by the council.
The first stage of consultation will be held at The Cube tomorrow.
Meanwhile, retired Wodonga solicitor John McCormack has cast doubt on the power of the council to impose fines on those fighting to stop the closure.
Henri’s Bakery director Ian Shirley said he was warned by a council staffer he could be fined for putting petitions on the windscreens of cars in the Coles car park last week.
Mr McCormack said the fines could be easily challenged in the courts.
“What is prohibited is the depositing of advertising material,” he said.
“I am quite satisfied a court would find that what was being put under the windscreen wipers of cars wasn’t advertising material.”