Council survey for business levy

Gosford Council has sent a survey to business property owners on the Peninsula after the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce declined council help with further consultations.

A letter and survey has been mailed to the owners of the 390 business properties affected at Woy Woy, Ettalong and Umina.

The survey closed on Friday, April 29, and council officers have recommended the results be provided at council's meeting of May 10.

The Chamber told Council that it had "already consulted extensively and that further meetings would not be beneficial to the project".

The council resolved in December to apply a business levy to commercial premises on the Peninsula to fund capital works, security, street cleaning and to employ a business development officer.

Since that date, the council has received "many objections", according to a staff report.

The council's finance committee recommended on March 21 that "assistance be provided to the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce to undertake additional public meetings with the Woy Woy, Umina and Ettalong business property owners regarding the introduction of a special business rate".

However, the Chamber did not take up the offer.

A letter was received on April 13 from Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales stating that "The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce executive has considered this matter and would like to thank Council for its offer of assistance to undertake those additional public meetings.

"It is the Chamber's view that we have already consulted extensively and that further meetings would not be beneficial to the project."

The letter stated: "In addition to the meetings already conducted, the Chamber has recently written to all businesses in the three Peninsula town centres (some 450 letters were delivered) inviting business proprietors and owners to contact the Chamber in relation to the Special Business Rate.

"Only two responses were received."

It stated that a public meeting was held last year and attended by 26 local business people "representing a large number of businesses".

The Chamber stated the public meeting was advertised by council for two consecutive weeks in the Express Advocate on November 10 and 17 and was widely advertised on local radio stations including SeaFM, 2GO and StarFM on November 16 and November 17 and through a number of media releases.

In addition, the Chamber stated it sent 150 personal invitations to both non-members and members of the Chamber, including councillors.

Other businesses had been contacted by phone and/or door knock.

Mr Wales wrote that, should council have further concern regarding the amount of the levy, the Chamber would support a formal letter being sent by council to the affected property owners seeking an indication of which option they prefer.

Accordingly, council then prepared a letter outlining the background of the proposed levy, the three funding options being considered and a survey to determine whether the levy was supported, and if so, which option.

Council's finance manager is currently preparing the submission to the Minister for Local Government to levy the rate on Peninsula commercial premises commencing this coming financial year.

Lyle Stone, April 29 Council agenda FS.57, May 3