Marketing and Business Development Special Rates
We work proactively to support the establishment of representative Business Associations in Town Centres to drive local leadership and business growth and development.
Two special rate schemes have been established to fund marketing and business development programs in St Albans and Sunshine town centres.
The programs provide secure funds which Council collects and provides to the Business Associations to employ a marketing coordinator and deliver ongoing marketing and business development programs.
We also provide additional business planning support and overall program administration.
Special Rate Charge Schemes for Marketing Promotion and Business Development in Town Centres
The aim of introducing a special rate/charge scheme within a town centre is to provide a pool of funds that can be used for marketing, promotion and business development activities that will improve the performance and functioning of the town centre.
The objectives of the Special Rate Charge Schemes for Marketing Promotion and Business Development in Retail and Town Centres (90 KB) policy are to:
- Identify the conditions under which Council will support a proposal to introduce a special rate/scheme
- Identify the roles, responsibilities and procedures for the introduction and implementation of special rate/charge schemes for marketing, promotion and business development in town centres
- Ensure that transparent and consistent practices are followed to maximise land owner and business consultation and participation when considering a request to establish or renew a special rate/charge scheme and
- Ensure compliance with the requirement of the Local Government Act 1989 in relation to Council declaring and levying a special rate/charge scheme.
St Albans Marketing and Business Development Special Rate
The St Albans Marketing and Business Development Special Rate (Special Rate) commenced on 1 January 2014 and ended on 31 December 2018. The Special Rate was successfully renewed for a five and half year period from 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2024.
The Special Rate will collect $61,832.23 for the period of 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2019, then increasing 2 per cent to collect $127,184.69 in its first full year for the period 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020. It will then continue to increase by 2% each year, raising in total an amount of $723,706.45 over the period of the Scheme.
Council has a funding agreement with the St Albans Business Association Group which establishes the condition of expenditure including a Business Plan and a Marketing Plan submitted each year outlining how the funds will be spent.
For more information contact the St Albans Place Manager via STATownCentre@brimbank.vic.gov.au or 9249 4355.
Sunshine Marketing and Business Development Special Rate
The Sunshine Marketing and Business Development Special Rate (Special Rate) commenced on 1 July 2013 and ended 30 June 2018. The Special Rate was successfully renewed for a five-year period from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2023 collecting $135,283.09 in its first year, increasing at a rate of 2% per annum.
Council has a funding agreement with the Sunshine Business Association which establishes the condition of expenditure including that a Marketing and Business Development Plan is submitted each year along with a detailed budget outlining how the funds will be spent.
For more information contact the Sunshine Place Manager via sunshinerising@brimbank.vic.gov.au or 9249 4368.