Brimbank council plans to declare a special marketing and business development rate for the Sunshine Town Centre at its February 2023 council meeting.
Council said all property owners and business occupiers will receive information about the special rate over the coming months.
First introduced in 2013, the special rate supports a program of business-led activities and initiatives promoting Sunshine Town Centre’s retail, restaurant and business services, which the Sunshine Business Association (SBA) manages.
The current special rate is due for renewal in June 2023.
The SBA has requested that the Special Rate be renewed, so that its program can continue to support Sunshine’s businesses, encourage commerce and deliver events and activities in the Sunshine Town Centre.
The request to renew the Sunshine Special Rate Scheme was made after engaging with owners and occupiers of the properties that will be liable to pay the special rate, if declared in February 2023. This engagement found that more than 150 businesses have general support for the SBA’s program and continuation of the Special Rate.
Since 2013 the SBA has worked hard to deliver a program of events and marketing campaigns within the Sunshine Town Centre, funded by the Sunshine Marketing and Development Special Rate Scheme.
With these funds, the SBA has made the streets of Sunshine come alive with Shop Local campaigns, banner programs, Christmas activities and events, such as the Sunshine Lantern Festival, the Lunar New Year Festival, Halloween Street Party and Sunshine Food Fever. As a result thousands of visitors have joined the local community to celebrate and experience music, food and culture in Sunshine.
More recently, the SBA delivered the successful Sunshine Business Awards which received 20,000 votes from local customers and awarded over $42,000 in cash and prizes to the winning businesses.
Mayor Jasmine Nguyen said the special rate is an important way to facilitate the economic development of the Sunshine Town Centre.
“The special rate makes possible an ongoing program of marketing, promotions and business development initiatives that help improve the commercial viability and visibility of this investment and development destination,” she said.
“Many popular events and activities funded by the Special Rate scheme have helped put Sunshine on the map already, and this momentum must continue, along with the other activities council supports and delivers in the centre.”
