Chamber to put business levy case

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has been given three months to prepare a proposal to Council outlining the benefits to the local business community on the introduction of a business levy.

Initiating the move at Council's August 24 meeting, Cr Terri Latella said a proposal with support from both local community and business associations should be been brought to council before the levy was being raised.

Cr Latella asked how she could support or endorse something if she was unaware if the community supported it.

The proposed business levy would result in a "place management" body for the Peninsula that would include a board of management, a primary funding stream including the business levy, a strategic plan and a business plan.

The structure of the proposed business levy would be similar to that in Gosford and would fund several main activities in the area that would include additional cleaning, security and capital works.

The levy would also fund asset maintenance and a part-time coordinator to handle marketing and business growth.

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Mathew Wales said the Peninsula Vision program, the reason for the business levy, had been a long-term exercise for the Chamber and that the Chamber was pleased with the results.

"It has finally enabled the Peninsula business community to set a vision for the area, and to set out goals and objectives to ensure that over the coming years we can create jobs, encourage investment and more importantly have resources to promote and further business activities."

Mr Wales said the levy was extremely important for the Peninsula business community, because for the first time in the history of their organisation, a levy would enable them to do some critical things to help create jobs and foster business growth.

"I think this is a crucial investment not only for the business community but also for the council and we will certainly be doing everything we can as business people to ensure that the Peninsula Vision becomes operative and that the business levy is a success."

Mayor Cr Malcolm Brooks suggested a period of four months to hand in the proposal would take it over the Christmas period.

However, the Council voted for a three-month period.

Mr Wales said he was happy with the request saying it is well within the Chamber's timeline.

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce would conduct three public meetings to consult the Peninsula business community, he said.

The meetings would take place in Woy Woy, Umina Beach and Ettalong Beach and were expected during November.

At the Council meeting, the review committee recommended that Council adopt the final report of the Peninsula Vision Strategy.

Lyle Stone, Council agenda CD.020, September 3