Forster urges Australia Day fine leniency

City of Sydney Councillor Christine Forster has written to Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and the City’s CEO Monica Barone, urging them to mitigate almost $5000 in fines incurred by an Alexandria café.

As first reported by The Sunday Telegraph, the Alexandria Food Centre in Beaconsfield St was fined $4,830 for an Australian-themed display, which was erected outside the store and in situ across the Australia Day Long Weekend.

The giant installation involved an extensive area of sand, an inflatable swimming pool, surfboards, beach umbrellas and a massive Australian ‘flag’ made of plywood, affixed to the café’s exterior.

The City of Sydney subsequently issued fines for development without consent, obstruction of the footpath and alleged water pollution, relating to sand contamination of local storm water drains.

But in a letter seen by City News, Ms Forster said the Alexandria businessman responsible for the installation, Nicholas Zisti, should be given a “fair go”.

“I am writing to express my concern over the extremely heavy fines issued … to Alexandria businessman Nicholas Zisti, related to his temporary Australia Day decorations,” wrote the Liberal councillor.

“I believe we should be encouraging our local businesses and residents to show support for our national day, just as they do by putting up temporary decorations for the Christmas religious holiday and festivals such as Mardi Gras,” continued Ms Forster.

“Mr Zisti was clearly well-intentioned and believed he had done the right thing … Of all days, Australia Day is one when people should be given a “fair go’.”

Living Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas has also opposed the fine, opining that Mr Zisti was showing “initiative” and that the City was “punishing” a small business for fostering community pride.

However, a spokesperson for the City of Sydney said there were good reasons for the fines, including dangers posed by the installation to the general public.

“A penalty of $3,000 was imposed for fixing a plywood hoarding to the front of the building without consent. The wooden sign was around eight metres long and four metres high, and extended above the building making it vulnerable to wind,” said the spokesperson.

“If the sign fell or was blown off it could have seriously injured [someone].

“The business was also fined for blocking the footpath in front of the building, with an inflatable swimming pool that was left unattended overnight with water, posing a serious potential risk to children. Tonnes of sand that formed part of the display washed into the storm water drains and was the subject of a third penalty.”

The spokesperson added that the fine amounts were prescribed by the NSW Environment Planning and Assessment Act and not something the City could alter.

Mr Zisti has launched a petition against the fines on Change.org, which has attracted 95 signatures.