Levy surprise after little consultation

I have recently read about the introduction of a business levy for various works and expenditures to be carried out in the main three districts within the Peninsula: Woy Woy, Umina and Ettalong.

I have noted that the proposal of three options for these various works would be funded via the business owners of the above areas.

I was unable to attend a public meeting that was held at the Umina Beach Bowling Club, and as far as I am aware it was the only meeting held within Umina in regards to this topic.

I have been advised that a small handful of persons attended the above meeting, approximately 26 to 30 with a supposed vote being quite divided.

I am surprised to hear that Gosford Council has voted on this levy, or tax, on Tuesday, December 7, considering the small amount of public consultation and publicity that it has received.

As a business owner within the area, I would be totally against the introduction of this levy as I believe the works and items proposed are projects that should be funded by council via the means that are already available, general rates.

To me, this proposal seems to be another way of the local council sourcing its funds via other means to alleviate any pressure on its own funding.

If the council is having trouble funding the works that it needs to carry out within its district then maybe it should look in its own backyard and rectify the waste of resources that you see day to day.

There are enough pressures on small businesses already without having this proposed arrangement forced upon the many that struggle to make ends meet week after week.

This is all more so due to ongoing street works in Umina which seem to have taken a rather large extended time and have inconvenienced the local community on more than one occasion.

I would strongly oppose any levy that was introduced for the business owners to pay for any remediation works.

Scott Wall, Umina