Computer firm expansion rejected

Steven and Keith Wright are having problems with Bundaberg Regional Council over the planned expansion of their computer business.

Mike Knott

A FAMILY that runs a computer repair service has bought a house to expand the business but claims Bundaberg Regional Council is blocking the move.

But the council says they should have done their homework first.

Keith Wright, whose sons run AMS Computer Services, says the business is run out of a shop in Branyan Street, but if allowed to expand into an eight-bedroom house they have bought in Boundary Street, they could employ five more people.

Mr Wright says the council told them they would need to provide eight car parks.

“We’ve got a 39m by 10m space at the side for a car park, but the council says it’s not big enough,” he said.

“We said we could put car parks out the front, but they say we would have to level and concrete them at a cost of $4500 each – that’s $30,000.”

Another drawback is Mr Wright’s son Matt wants to close off part of the house for a unit to live in, but the council will not approve that.

Council planning and development chairman Ross Sommerfeld said the council had regulations about how many car parks were required depending on the size of the building involved.

Council also did not allow businesses to expand into the suburbs.

“They didn’t check out the regulations properly before they bought the house,” he said.

“Technically it’s not a home-based business because they employ other people.”