Council promises work with CBD businesses
Published on 26 March 2015
Mildura Rural City Council has promised to continue to support CBD traders and events, after accepting an alternative recommendation at the March Ordinary Council Meeting. However they have not backed the introduction of a Mildura City Heart Special Rate.
With the current differential rate ending on 30 June 2015, Mildura City Heart Inc. (MCH) had requested the introduction of a new Special Rate, which would have seen the expansion of the current City Heart boundaries, with a view to raise $550,000 from traders.
A number of strong arguments against the new rate and the high probability of legal challenges, prompted Council to recommend against its adoption and after lengthy discussions an alternative recommendation was accepted.
While the alternative recommendation still does not support the new Special Rate in its current format, Mayor Glenn Milne said it gave the Mildura City Heart Board a positive way forward.
“Council hasn’t taken this decision lightly and it is certainly not a reflection on the hard work done by the Mildura City Heart board and staff over many years,” Cr Milne said.
“Even up until Thursday afternoon Councillors were still receiving emails and phone calls about this decision. People on both sides of this argument have been equally passionate.”
The alternative recommendation acknowledges the positive work of the MCH board and commits to work with them to develop a strategy for their continued operation.
“This means Council will now work closely with the current Mildura City Heart Inc. to develop a new business model and a strategy for the future,” Cr Milne said.
“There were a lot of businesses who have come out in support of Mildura City Heart and there’s no reason for them to not continue to provide support through a voluntary or member based scheme if that was to be the end recommendation or strategy.
“Some businesses have indicated they want the opportunity to have a choice as to whether or not they want to commit their marketing dollars to group initiatives. The old system didn’t give individual businesses an option to opt out, regardless of whether or not they saw value in the promotions or services being offered.
“But only time will tell what the new Mildura City Heart business model will look like.”
In the meantime, Council is continuing to support initiatives and changes to the CBD including works starting on the long awaited Langtree Connection which will see the riverfront linked with CBD, the trial of parklets along “Feast Street” and a new concept, the 7-Day Makeover, which is coming the Mall later this year.
“The 7-Day Makeover is a program run by Creative Communities. The idea sees volunteers come together and work with a place-making expert to create extraordinary spaces with just a little cash and basically no red tape,” Cr Milne explained.
“The main message we have for our CBD traders is that this should be seen as the beginning of a new era. Their destiny is back in their own hands but Council certainly isn’t walking away and will continue to support them.”
Businesses in the CBD will now pay only the standard Business Differential Rate in the 2015/16 financial year, in line with all other traders in Mildura.
ENDS
Media enquiries
Angela Umback
p) 03 5018 8689
e) angela.umback@mildura.vic.gov.au