“It’s about time our highly paid city leaders stood up because we are on our knees”

Council is under pressure to from leading restaurant owners and several candidates to immediately reduce fees and rates as many retailers shut down operations from midday today.

THE council is under pressure to from leading restaurant owners and several candidates to immediately reduce fees and rates as many retailers shut down operations from midday today.

Mayor Tom Tate today said council staff were working around the clock to complete the city’s stimulus package, which would potentially involve suspending council charges.

But business leaders want immediate action.

Manos on Tedder Avenue owner Mick Ellison, one of the city’s most experienced restaurant operators, told The Bulletin: “It’s about time the Gold Coast stands up. On rates, sidewalk dining fees, anything else they can do the council needs to help out – small business and tourism is on its knees.

“It’s about time the so-called city leaders – highly paid – stand up and perform. We are making contact (today) with people at council to waiver their outdoor dining levy.”

Tedder Avenue business owner Mick Ellison from Mano's Tedder Avenue. Picture: Jerad Williams

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Mr Ellison said most restaurants would be paying up to $1000 a month for the outdoor dining levy when their business was now limited to takeaway food.

Division 6 candidate Shaelee Welchman has also called on council to make significant concessions on rates, fees and charges for residents and small business.

“Council has an important role in stimulating the economy and getting people back to work once this unprecedented health crisis is over,” she said.

“Firstly, council must consider deferring commercial rates payments on the proviso that savings be passed on to businesses and renters, as well suspending interest on rates arrears.”

Division 6 candidate Shaelee Welchman. Picture: Jerad Williams

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Her rescue package also calls for a freeze on fees and charges for residents and businesses including outdoor dining fees for cafes and restaurants, market stall holders, fitness providers using public open space, busking fees and dog registration

Division 1 candidate Alec Pokarier has called for a ban on all council-related interstate and overseas travel for 12 months for all elected members and city staff.

He said rates should be frozen for the next 24 months and council must bring forward as many capital expenditure work projects planned in the next four years and ask for a no-interest loan from the State Government to pay for them upfront.

Division 1 candidate, Alec Pokarier. Picture: Jerad Williams.

“It’s time to come together as a community and while our fantastic health workers fight to defeat the spread of this virus, our council needs to come out of caretaker mode and fight through swift and effective measures to help combat the economic downfall of COVID-19,” he said.