Struggling Nillumbik businesses call on council for rates freeze, rebate
Hospitality businesses across Nillumbik are struggling to make ends meet as lockdown keeps valuable customers away. Now shop owners are banding together and calling on the council to freeze rates or waive annual licensing fees.
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Struggling hospitality businesses across Nillumbik are pleading with the council to consider a waiver or rebate on annual food licensing and street-trading fees.
The calls follow community pleas for a rates freeze after councillors expressed concerns ratepayers would be slugged with a three per cent increase in the next financial year.
Nillumbik Tourism and Business president Richard Dovile told Leader the food industry was “one of the worst hit” during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’ve got so many beautiful restaurants, wineries and local catering companies in Nillumbik and they all provide each other with produce — they all complement each other,” he said.
“But now they’re all suffering and need help.
“We’re very keen for a rates freeze, or having a rebate or waiver on annual food licensing and street trading fees for the next 12 months.”
Mr Dovile who is also the co-owner of Tania Hot Coals, a Hurtsbridge catering company, said his business was forced to “change dramatically” to survive during the pandemic.
His team of 25 were helping to cook about 40 meals a day inside its Gosfield Rd home kitchen set up — to be distributed to elderly community members.
“But not all businesses have the flexibility to change in these times,” Mr Dovile said.
“We believe the council is in a comfortable position to consider our requests and look forward to achieving a positive outcome.”
Eltham resident and communications consultant Zac Lombardo said freezing rates, or a rebate in fees, was an “appropriate” response to the COVID-19 crisis.
“This is the wrong time for council to endorse a rate rise,” he said.
“Freezing rates will free up millions of dollars of extra cashflow across the shire.”
Deb Graham, who operates Blue Pear Pantry, said business had “dropped substantially”.
The Research homeowner supported calls for a rates freeze and possible rebate or waiver on food licensing and street trading fees.
“It costs me about $700 a year for the food license and $120 on top of that to trade at markets — these bills are a big chunk,” Ms Graham said.
“Many businesses — especially food businesses — we need help right now.
“I’m doing different things with my business to keep things ticking over but a big part of my income came from markets and that’s irreplaceable.”
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Nillumbik mayor Karen Egan the effects of COVID-19 on rates and other financials were currently being considered as part of the council’s annual budget process.
“We recognise this is a terribly difficult time for many ratepayers, including businesses, in our shire,” she said.
“As part of the Nillumbik Business Support Package, food businesses experiencing hardship can apply in writing to Council’s Environmental Health team at health.services@nillumbik.vic.gov.au to receive a 30 per cent refund of their current registration fee.
“This applies to both fixed premises and Streatrader registrations.
“Council is also waiving the fees for the 2020/21 local law permits for A-frame signage and footpath trading.”