Business levy options presented

Three options for a Peninsula 15-year business levy have been presented to a public meeting held at Club Umina on November 17.

The options propose an average annual business levy ranging from $895 in Umina for Option One to $2084 in Ettalong for Option Three.

Option One provides for $1.2 million "construction value", Option Two $2.1 million and Option Three $3.0 million.

All three options also include annual spending for street cleaning of $286,000, a business development officer $60,000 and advertising $10,000.

Option One includes works on Brisbane Water Dr, Chambers Pl, Oval Ave, Brickwharf Rd and The Boulevarde in Woy Woy, on Memorial Ave in Ettalong and on West St between Trafalgar Ave and Norman St in Umina.

Option Two includes these works plus an extra $300,000 to be spent on each of The Boulevarde in Woy Woy, foreshore redevelopment in Ettalong and West St between Norman St and Richard St in Umina.

Option Three includes the Option Two works plus a further $300,000 to be spent on each of Oval Ave at Woy Woy, foreshore redevelopment at Ettalong and on a Bullion St Town Square in Umina.

Gosford Council is expected to decide the levy at its meeting on December 7, with an assessment being sent to the Minister in February next year.

If approved, the rate would be levied from October next year, with work expected to be conducted between March 2006 and November 2007.

Details of the business levy proposal are available on Gosford Council's website at www.gosford.nsw.gov.au.

Lyle Stone, November 26 Peninsula Business Special Rates Presentation