A SUNSHINE trader may consider legal action after Brimbank council approved a special rate for marketing and promotions.
Nine local traders objected to Sunshine Business Association’s push for a special rate for businesses in the Sunshine town centre.
A council report said the rate was designed to fund marketing, promotions and business development to enhance trade in the area.
But some traders cited tough economic conditions, the federal government’s carbon tax, a high Australian dollar, rising energy prices and rent costs as reasons for rejecting the proposal.
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“Under the scheme we will have to pay $763 from July 2013. If this scheme proceeds we may consider pursuing legal avenues to opt out,” one trader said.
Another said their business would not receive any advantage from the scheme as their first-floor property receives no foot traffic.
A further submission included a petition with 13 signatures calling for “discounts, not an increase”.
Nine businesses officially supported the scheme, saying it would help revitalise the town centre, establish a positive identity and counteract “negative media”.
Sunshine Business Association president Bruce White said: “This is the result of three years of hard work. The timing was right [to introduce it].”
The scheme, to begin on July 1, is expected to raise $646,901 over five years.
