The decision was made in a 27-page document, released on Monday, after the applicant – National Retailers Association – provided insufficient evidence of what benefits it would bring to the community.

The commission noted that the NRA provided no local witnesses while federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter, Mount Isa state member Rob Katter, and local business owners gave testimony against Sunday trading. 

The lack of public transport in Mount Isa was considered a significant factor in the decision.“The type of factors which have arisen in this case are the town’s isolation; that the township does not in reality have a public transport system; the location of various convenience stores and the town’s weather,” the commission found. 

“It is reasonable to take into consideration people living in Mount Isa where they might have to walk some distance in the heat to the city area were any of the local convenience stores outside of the city area to close as a consequence of a successful application.” 

In November, commission witness Jose Rivas warned he would be forced to close his two Foodworks businesses in Sunset and Turanga if the larger stores cut into his Sunday profits. 

The findings acknowledged the submission made by Master Grocers Australia lawyer David Sztrajt – who submitted against Sunday trading in the commission – that tourism would not be affected.

“The evidence produced by NRA established that a significant number of tourists come to Mount Isa. 

“There was no evidence, however, to show that these tourists needed to or wanted to shop on a Sunday.” 

The commission said the Mount Isa City Council’s Tourism Strategy did not identify a need for extended trading hours. 

But the council’s silence on the matter was noted, as was Commerce North West’s withdrawal from being heard in the commission. 

“What might have been of assistance is the council’s comments upon the current state of Mount Isa, traversing areas such as population growth, the state of the local economy.” 

There were opportunities for more employment available if the larger stores were to be open on a Sunday, the commission found. 

But this could be at the risk of reduction of employment in smaller businesses.