Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts today announced the results of comprehensive checks on businesses in Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Wauchope and Laurieton during a Fair Trading Regional Access Program held from 9 – 13 May.

Mr Roberts said the week-long inspection and information program had provided valuable consumer and trader education.

“Compliance with relevant laws by many traders was satisfactory, however there is room for improvement and I encourage local traders to visit their local Fair Trading Centre or call Fair Trading on 13 32 20 for advice,” he said.

One hundred and ninety-nine premises were inspected, including motor vehicle repairers and dealers, building sites, real estate agents, pawnbrokers and second hand dealers.

Fair Trading officers issued inspection reports to 45 of 50 automotive dealers and to 23 individual licence holders working in the motor vehicle repair industry.

Mr Roberts said he was also concerned with the number of real estate agents issued warnings.

“Less than half of the 29 real estate agents visited could demonstrate full compliance with laws regulating the sector and 16 warning letters were issued for matters such as poor receipt keeping, late banking and cash book discrepancies,” he said.

The Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams, welcomed Fair Trading’s visit.

“It is important for people in the region to know their consumer rights are being respected and enforced,” she said.

“It is equally vital for local businesses to get the advice and education they need to stay on top of their responsibilities.”

“Local businesses survive and thrive on the goodwill of their customers, so I urge traders to take advantage of Fair Trading advice and information.”

During the week, Fair Trading officers inspected:

• 35 building sites and 99 tradespeople for compliance with the Home Building Act 1989 – six penalty notices worth $6,750 were issued for offences including workingwithout a licence; contracting with unlicensed individuals and corporations and failure to provide Home Warranty Insurance. Two warning letters were also issued for unlicensed contracting and contracting with an unlicensed individual. Three matters relating to unlicensed work are being investigated.
• Nine travel agents - four inspection reports were issued for minor breaches.
• 18 pawnbrokers and second hand dealers – 15 were compliant. One $550 penalty notice issued for failure to enter goods into a register and two inspection reports issued for three breaches, including two instances of no record of description of goods. One matter relating to unlicensed trading is being investigated.
• 50 motor dealers - only five were fully compliant. 45 inspection reports were issued for 96 breaches. Four penalty infringement notices issued for omissions in register, incomplete documentation, no forms and incorrect build dates, the latter is also under investigation.
• 50 motor repairers and 99 individuals – 23 inspection reports issued.
• 29 real estate agents - 16 warning letters issued for 52 breaches and two $550 penalty infringement notices issued for no cash. One breach of a trust account is being investigated.
• Three premises for compliance with graffiti control laws and all were compliant.
• Four businesses for product safety compliance – three were compliant and one is being investigated in relation to children’s toys.
• 42 premises for compliance with the Business Names Act 2002 – 40 were compliant and two were issued with inspection reports for not updating details and not displaying a certificate.

Mr Roberts said 579 people attended a range of information sessions as well as the Fair Trading shopping centre tenancy information stand.

The program involved 46 Fair Trading staff.

Back to Media releases