General News
25 July, 2023
Fee hike puts strain on businesses
LETTER Sir, I write in regards to a letter posted to all local businesses from Loddon Shire Council on July 6 regarding changes to the footpath trading permit (Loddon Herald July 13). While I understand the need to have this permit and the...
LETTER
Sir, I write in regards to a letter posted to all local businesses from Loddon Shire Council on July 6 regarding changes to the footpath trading permit (Loddon Herald July 13).
While I understand the need to have this permit and the council’s role in ensuring all local businesses are meeting the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, the significant price increase puts financial strain on businesses already dealing with rising inflation.
For our small family owned and operated business, our fees have increased by $154.90 or 111 per cent.
When every dollar counts to our business surviving, we may be pushed to remove our outdoor seating for patrons.
This goes against Loddon Shire Council’s commitment to local business “to building and supporting a strong local economy that provides for the innovative and sustainable business base, says its website.
“There are over 300 non-farming small businesses within the Loddon Shire, one of the largest rural shires in Victoria.
“The economic development staff are responsible for the management and implementation of initiatives to support the business community, enhance and promote the local retail and tourism precincts and foster and promote a co-operative culture within Council in its dealings with the business community,” says the council’s website.
With council forming part of the Goldfields World Heritage bid, I wonder how detrimental it will be to our shire when many businesses remove footpath dining and signage?
Unfortunately, our local laws department have been unhelpful in our concerns and unwilling to listen to the impact such decisions have on our community.
Matthew and Michele Mizzi
Newbridge
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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