Budget amendment makes money a talking point

Sydney City Council will now be accountable to disclose economic information to local businesses on request following the City’s only amendment to its Corporate Plan.
Darlinghurst Business Partnership President, Andrew Duckmanton, said the amendment, which states that council will “Provide dialogue about demographic, business and economic development information to existing businesses,” was minor, but a milestone nonetheless.
He said it meant Council could no longer ignore financial statistics, and begin to focus on the city’s economic development – particularly in relation to the ailing small business sector.
“What it means is that we can start to have a lot more dialogue around this in a very open and transparent manner because council is now aware of it.
“We can start to openly request things that weren’t coming our way and not feel like we’re attacking council. It starts to put a bridge between us,” he said.
Business leaders are outraged that the Council has dedicated just $2.2 million to the city’s economic development in the 2009-2010 Budget totalling $322 million, half of which will go towards wages of City staff.
The budget states that $65.8 million will be spent on “vibrant local communities and economies”, with the City pledging to “encourage and support small businesses to operate in mainstreets through the provision of grants, business development advice and economic information.” But only $300,000 has been allocated for chambers of commerce to appeal for business support grants.
Darlinghurst businesses have been crying for a long time for Council to direct its attention to the ailing Oxford Street strip, and an economic study of the area is soon to be released.
Mr Duckmanton said that the Council was too focused on global industries rather than strengthening local economies, however Liberal Councillor Shayne Mallard said a balance needed to be achieved, and that attention needed to be turned to the city’s CBD
“We’ve got a responsibility on both fronts and that’s my criticism of the Council: it really just turns its back on the CBD,” he said.