Q. As a local business leader, do you think Holroyd City should apply for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) and if so, why?
A. Holroyd Council should apply for the SRV as it needs this funding to maintain and renew its current assets and not allow them to be neglected; therefore making Holroyd an unattractive city for business and the community.
Q. Having spoken with a number of local businesses about a SRV, do you think there is a general consensus for or against?
A. There is a consensus among local businesses that there is need for a SRV as the current streetscape in the Merrylands CBD and other shopping centres in Holroyd are in urgent need of attention to make it more inviting for the community to shop and do business here. Renewal of the current streetscape, which could be funded by the SRV, would also attract more valued business to Merrylands.
Q. From the businesses you have spoken to that are against a SRV, what do you think the main issues are?
A. The main opponents to the increase are concerned that the SRV would not be applied in upgrading the current streetscape and would just be added to income and used to pay for other inefficiencies. Secondly, some businesses were also concerned that Council should cut expenses in administrative costs before applying for a SVR.
Q. What do you feel a SRV would mean for local business and development in Holroyd?
A. The SRV would be a positive for local business as it would attract development and hence more people, who would spend in the local economy of Holroyd.
Q. Holroyd has the fifth lowest rate income in the Sydney Metropolitan region. Do you think this impacts local business and development and if so, how?
A. Yes, this does impact local business. It is very competitive and any development in Holroyd needs to be affordable.
Q. If a SRV is not pursued, how do you think local business and development would be affected?
A. This may affect new development decisions to invest in Holroyd if Holroyd Council cannot afford to maintain its roads and footpaths and other assets. Local businesses would also be affected as customers would choose to do business in other locations which have well maintained streetscape.
Q. If the lower end of a SRV is pursued; small businesses would pay around $82.25 more each year for the 6-year period to 2019/20. Do you feel this would substantially affect small business in the area and if so, how?
A. Cost increases do affect all small business however if there is sufficient notice that this increase will come into effect from a certain time, then small business can budget for this in their forward planning model by adjusting costs or looking at their prices.
Q. It could be argued that a SRV would attract higher quality businesses into centres where there are high vacancy rates. What are your thoughts on this?
A. If the SRV was used for the maintaining and renewing the current streetscape, this would attract higher quality businesses into the centres and this would attract customers as well.
Q. Council is investigating three distinct funding options, including a SRV, to secure the long term financial sustainability of the City. What other avenues do you think Council should explore?
A. Council should also consider disposing of unprofitable or underutilised assets that are not part of the Councils core services.
