Chamber renews call for CBD spending

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales has called on Gosford Council to make provision in its recurrent budget for funding for CBD business development in the Peninsula town centres.

"Following Council's decision earlier this year to not take any further action on the Special Business Rate, it has now become urgent for Council to allocate adequate funds for business development on the Peninsula," Mr Wales said.

"We are in urgent need of a funding boost in street cleaning, maintenance and security in Woy Woy, Umina Beach and Ettalong Beach.

"Currently council only allocates approximately $80,000 per annum for these activities which are currently under contract to the ACS Group.

"While ACS does a great job, only two staff members are rotated between the three town centres," said Mr Wales.

"It is essential that full time staff are located in each town centre with adequate resources to ensure streets and footpaths are properly cleaned, street furniture and gardens adequately maintained and town security is effective.

"The current budget needs to be boosted to at least $280,000 in order to do the job effectively.

"Anything less will not deliver the level and standard of service our business operators deserve.

"Funds are also desperately needed to promote our town centres, stage events and employ a full time Business Development Officer (BDO) dedicated to the Peninsula. "Businesses need a helping hand and a BDO with a fully resourced budget would ensure that recommendations from the Peninsula Vision project are implemented including investment and job generating activities."

Mr Wales said that Peninsula Chamber of Commerce had made a formal request to council for a recurrent budget of $500,000 to provide these services through a CBD Committee.

"It's tough in small business and council needs to get serious about supporting local retailers and our vibrant town centres in Woy Woy, Ettalong Beach and Umina Beach.

"Council makes funds available in the Gosford CBD and in Terrigal so the Peninsula deserves its fair share of the budget," said Mr Wales.

"Without clean, safe, vibrant town centres, the local economy will decline and job opportunities vanish.

"It's in council's and the community's interest to properly fund these important activities.

"If it does, it will reap the rewards."

Press release, September 21 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce