The myDarwin voucher scheme needs to continue, even if it’s at the expense of a new pool
THE City of Darwin needs local businesses more than it needs a $25 million pool, write DENISE CAHILL
Opinion
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THE City of Darwin needs local businesses more than it needs a $25 million pool.
The council this month launched its $300,000 myDarwin voucher scheme program providing a boost for local businesses doing it tough and a windfall for shoppers.
Whether it’s food and beverage, bike repairs, a hair cut or clothing, punters are signing up in droves to get between $2.50 and $20 off purchases within the City of Darwin by spending between $10 and $80.
It’s a PR dream for the council and they should be congratulated on acting so swiftly to deliver an incentive scheme that appears to have gone off without a hitch.
But it needs to continue.
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Sure, that will cost money but even a quick glance at the council’s proposed budget for 2020/21 suggests extending this scheme can be done at the expense of less important projects.
The City of Darwin is expected to deliver a $71.8 million budget, boosted by last week’s $14.6 million sale of the Cavenagh St car park to CDU.
The biggest project on the budget?
A monster $25 million redevelopment of Casuarina Pool.
This city needs to continue to show how much it values local business and find ways to extend this generous, innovative and flawless scheme, even if it is at the cost of, or delays, a new pool development in the burbs.
There’s already plenty of evidence that suggests businesses are reaping the rewards of the voucher scheme.
Taste of Viet in Casuarina says people are boosting their spend just to take advantage of the discount.
A banh mi costs $9 so customers are buying a drink to spend over $10 so they can cash in on their discount.
Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis has not ruled out extending the popular voucher scheme.
“We put $300,000 as a reasonable fund and we can go back and review it,” he said.
Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said council’s cash splash was a generous one.
“This isn’t about a free lunch and you have to spend some to get some. Council’s giving you a (25 per cent) discount and we think that’s generous,” he said.
The $300,000 stimulus package has come from the council parking revenue generated between January and March, which they announced would be diverted into virus recovery efforts.
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Businesses that sign up for the voucher scheme must be owned and operated in Darwin, have a maximum turnover of $10 million and be at least six months old at time of registration to qualify.
The Football and Cricket shop in Winellie was one of the first to sign up to the scheme.
Why wouldn’t the City of Darwin continue the free PR?
Denise Cahill is the head of news at the NT News
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