THE ACT government has been criticised by the Shadow Minister for Local Business and Tourism, Andrew Wall, accusing it of hindering the creative ventures of local businesses. 

Wall says a popular cafe, Fox & Bow, located at Farrer Shops has been told by the ACT Department of Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) to remove a basketball hoop from its vicinity.

The Canberra Times reported today that a near miss between a child and a car forced city officials to act. 

Wall has labeled the ACT government the “fun police” saying the idea behind the basketball hoop was to give parents an opportunity to sit and enjoy a coffee while they watch their children play.

“Andrew Barr has claimed to be supportive of businesses creating fun and exciting ways for he community to engage in their local areas however it seems his government is conflicted between building the ‘coolest little capital’ versus being the fun police,” says Wall.

“The fact that TAMS has told the owners of the cafe to remove to basketball hoop without offering another solution is quite frankly bureaucracy gone mad.

“The owner of the cafe has contacted me and advised that he has made attempts to offer solutions to what may be causing concern regarding the placement of the basketball hoop such as better signage, a traffic mirror or upgraded recreational facilities.”