For more local news and photos grab a copy of the Bay Post or Moruya Examiner.

Among those unhappy with fees introduced for local cafes, restaurants and takeaways is Café Nelligen’s Rick Patman. He wants council to outline exactly where his $150 administration fee is going.

“To me, administration should be entering details into a system and issuing an invoice,” he said. “A trained monkey could do it.”

The new fee structure was adopted by council in October last year, following changes to the Food Regulation Act, which imposed a statutory obligation on council to undertake routine inspections on retail food premises.

Prior to the new legislation council was not undertaking a comprehensive food inspection program, according to development group manager Lindsay Usher. He said the new fee structure was needed for council to comply with statutory requirements.

However, eight months on, shire food-handlers remain unconvinced.

From January 1, they are being hit with a $150 per hour inspection fee and $75 each hour after that. This is charged twice a year and is likely to increase.

However, what is really stinging businesses are the $150 food administration fees, charged with each inspection, to places with five or fewer food handlers. The fee is $300 for larger companies.

According to Mr Patman, Café Nelligen has passed two food inspections since January with flying colours. He just doesn’t understand why he should have to foot the $630 bill for the privilege.

“It’s $315 each time they come out,” he said. “You get charged $150 in administration each time. I don’t see how they can justify $300 a year on admin alone.”

However, a council spokeswoman said the administration fee was only charged at the beginning of the financial year.

“The administration fee, as recommended by the Food Authority, is based on the number of fulltime employees of the food premises and is charged once a year, at the beginning of the financial year,” she said.

The spokeswoman said council’s fees were below the statutory fees recommended by the NSW Food Authority.

“Council does not plan to change the current fees and charges, however they may increase annually based on CPI and NSW Food Authority requirement under the legislation,” she said.

Either way, Mr Patman says the charges are too steep and that his business is suffering under the burden.

“On a bad week that single bill would be at least 80 per cent of my business,” he said.

“On a wet day in winter, that’s your whole week gone to Eurobodalla Shire Council alone. Then we have got rent, insurance, wages, electricity, all your outgoings and bills.”