BRIGHTON Council has taken issue with the Pharmacy Guild over its involvement in the Tasmanian for Reform Group that is campaigning for local government amalgamations in Tasmania.
Brighton Council says the group claims to be campaigning for efficiency and improved services in local government yet its members would do well to look at their own performances.
Cr Leigh Gray said the Commonwealth Government’s Pharmacy Location Rules prohibit a chemist establishing at the Cove Hill Shopping centre in Bridgewater. Council has received legal advice that another chemist cannot be located within 500 metres from an existing chemist at the nearby Green Point Shopping Centre.
“It is hypocritical for the Pharmacy Guild on one hand to support a campaign it claims is about improved efficiency inlocal government and then accept a highly protective and inefficient regime for its own members.
“How can Sandy Bay have several chemist outlets in close proximity while Bridgewater can not?
Cr Gray said rather than become embroiled in a campaign that was little more than an attempt by big property owners to get rate reductions at the expense of average householders, the Pharmacy Guild should get its house in order and concentrate on ensuring all sectors of the community had access to pharmacy services.
“I urge the Pharmacy Guild to reassess its involvement in the Tasmanians for Reform Group, which is simply a front for the Property Council, and instead examine how it could work with us to provide proper access to pharmacy services for the people of our rapidly growing municipality,” Cr Gray said.
• Earlier on Tasmanian Times: Opposing signs at Brighton. Massina v Flint
