TOPICS IN CONTROVERSY

To The Business Owner from the BYRON BUSINESS GROUP (BBG). Feb 06

>> Click here to view the Petition
>> Click here to view Press Release

Submissions

>>> Click here to view Submission to Hon Frank Sartor
>>> Click here to view Submission to Byron Shire Council

Reports from business houses in the CBD have indicated 2005 was a ‘softer’ than expected year Although some business categories have reported little or no downturn with a few in fact showing increases, the majority have indicated turnover downturns ranging from 6% to 60%? It seems that around 15% is a very conservative average. The purpose of this report is to alert all CBD businesses to have a close look at the proposed LEP being preposed by council.

This LEP model has never been offered, let alone previously tested anywhere in Australia. There has not been any social or economic impact study done on the effects of this LEP for Byron shire let alone Byron Bay village. It seems that we are to be the guinea pigs for the rest of Australia. From this experience other councils will learn what NOT to do when pondering any social and economic changes. Although the actual tourist numbers coming to Byron is a ‘guesstimate’ ranging from 1.5M to 2M there is no guessing that Tourism is Byron’s only real industry, with Welfare coming second (supplying in excess of $100M, unemployment currently 12.9% in Byron Bay) and agriculture a long way back in third place. It should be noted that even agriculture would be adversely affected by the LEP. We believe that if this LEP becomes law than the tourism industry in Byron will be dealt a crippling blow. The very minimum you can expect is a 20% drop in tourist numbers, most predict that the drop will be in excess of 50%.

A major downturn in the tourist market will lead to a serious decline in the housing market, which in turn will collapse the retail and trade sectors, as we know it. This council has proven to be anti business. We in the CBD have been subjected to major rate increases, our customers have been penalised for shopping with us by a mad regime of parking fees and fines…and now the LEP. This LEP will go through unaltered unless a strong campaign is mounted. Your group BBG will join with the Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Byron, HLO, Real Estate group, Belongil Tourism and others to oppose segments of the LEP.

If you feel that your business cannot or should not sustain a drop of these percentages the BBG urges you to educate yourself on the proposed LEP and put your submission in by 17/3/06 and pledge some financial or other support to help us look after business interests in this matter. Make no mistake…Do nothing and your staff hours will suffer, your real estate will be devalued along with your business! Consider the time spent on your submission and any other support of the fighting fund to be an investment in your business future. Our committee believes this is defenitely not the time for fence sitting. An information meeting on exactly how the LEP will affect Byron Business will be held this coming Friday 3rd March up stairs at Cocomangas at 10am. Depending on your interest, further updates will be here.

Please click here to contact us

Updates

Brief update on Byron Business Group’s concern with the Draft LEP for 2006.

At the meeting today, which was well, attended by business owners the following strategies were agreered to.

• The Byron Business Group to engage a town planner to put a submission to council by March 17th in regard to the business and economic effects of the LEP in its current form, and what are the ramifications it will have on our trading activities.
• The Byron Business Group to seek a barrister’s opinion as to the legal ramifications of the draft LEP in its current form (there do appear to be some legal and planning flaws contained therein).
• We also agreered to display a petition in our places of business to obtain signatures of business owner’s, staff, and customers /clients against the draft LEP 2006. Encourage your business neighbours to do likewise.
• We also especially urge business owners (and staff) to email and write to all councillors as well as Frank Sartor the Minister of NSW planning. And voice your concerns of the current direction of the Byron Shire Council.
• We will also supply two submission letters (one to Council and one to NSW state government) for you to fill in and send.

The petition and the submission forms as well as the email addresses of councillors and State member can be downloaded below.

You are urged to support your Business Group by emailing and writing to the abovementioned people and supporting the petition via your business. Please ask your business neighbours to likewise get involved or run off some copies for them. We obviously will require support on funding to fight this issue.

Many of you have already contributed to this for which we sincerely thank you.

Please carefully consider the ramifications of doing nothing. If turnover is ‘soft’ now, think of what is going to happen if this LEP get through in it’s current form. Turnover figures could be down by in excess of 50%. Weather your support is $5 or $5000; the important factor is your solidarity .We urge you to invest in your business future and do something. There are three methods you can financially support your team.

1. You can do a direct deposit to BBG’s bank account. Bank: Southern Cross Credit Union Account name: Byron Bay Business Group BSB: 802185 ACC: 105341
2. You can drop an envelope into:
   Five Star Supermarket, Lawson St
   Bay Action Surf shop, Jonson St
   ‘Wallaces’ Men’s store, Jonson St.
3. Ssecure credit card payment by clicking here
   

Please support within 7 days as time is really of the essence.

Thank you and let’s work together to save our major clean industry (Tourism) and therefore our TOWN and our BUSINESS.

Byron Business Group.