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The Age
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
NSW wants small businesses to take charge of reviving high streets. It comes at a cost
Graham said the reforms enabled businesses to raise the levies without having to strike special rates under local government laws. Under the scheme, individual businesses in a designated area vote in a ballot to establish one of the districts. If two-thirds of businesses are supportive, the district is set up and a levy introduced. The government said the levies were expected to cost about $400 to $700 per business. Graham said the changes were accompanied by $2 million to fund the second stage of a pilot program to help businesses establish and run districts on Carlton Parade in Carlton, Guildford Road in Guildford, Miller Street in Gilgandra and Clarinda Street in Parkes. The then-Perrottet government in 2022 started a pilot program and proposed policies to make it easier to set the districts up, describing it as 'strata for the street'. Loading Business improvement districts have operated across the world for more than 50 years, and they include the Time Square Alliance in New York City, which comprises 2500 businesses. The schemes have been credited with reviving downtrodden areas in London and Auckland. They have also sparked a growing backlash in the US and Britain, where critics have raised concerns about the costs to businesses, and private landowners and businesses managing public spaces. Local Government NSW had raised concerns the precincts would undermine councils. LGNSW president Phyllis Miller told members in March consultation with councils would be pivotal, and noted the precincts could only be established if the relevant council, or councils, were supportive. 'Councils have veto power over any community improvement district in their local government area. This can help ensure that a CID's activities align with a council's strategic intent for that area.' Miller also said the fees would be collected and administered by the state government, not councils, and the levy was not tied to the rating system, which meant they would not affect council income. 'Finally, any CID would only operate for a limited period, for example, five years, before requiring re-approval,' Miller said.
Sydney Morning Herald
17-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
NSW wants small businesses to take charge of reviving high streets. It comes at a cost
Graham said the reforms enabled businesses to raise the levies without having to strike special rates under local government laws. Under the scheme, individual businesses in a designated area vote in a ballot to establish one of the districts. If two-thirds of businesses are supportive, the district is set up and a levy introduced. The government said the levies were expected to cost about $400 to $700 per business. Graham said the changes were accompanied by $2 million to fund the second stage of a pilot program to help businesses establish and run districts on Carlton Parade in Carlton, Guildford Road in Guildford, Miller Street in Gilgandra and Clarinda Street in Parkes. The then-Perrottet government in 2022 started a pilot program and proposed policies to make it easier to set the districts up, describing it as 'strata for the street'. Loading Business improvement districts have operated across the world for more than 50 years, and they include the Time Square Alliance in New York City, which comprises 2500 businesses. The schemes have been credited with reviving downtrodden areas in London and Auckland. They have also sparked a growing backlash in the US and Britain, where critics have raised concerns about the costs to businesses, and private landowners and businesses managing public spaces. Local Government NSW had raised concerns the precincts would undermine councils. LGNSW president Phyllis Miller told members in March consultation with councils would be pivotal, and noted the precincts could only be established if the relevant council, or councils, were supportive. 'Councils have veto power over any community improvement district in their local government area. This can help ensure that a CID's activities align with a council's strategic intent for that area.' Miller also said the fees would be collected and administered by the state government, not councils, and the levy was not tied to the rating system, which meant they would not affect council income. 'Finally, any CID would only operate for a limited period, for example, five years, before requiring re-approval,' Miller said.
