"THE TOURIST HAVE STOPPED COMING"

CB thanks Richard Cornish for his advocacy, it has never been needed more. All levels of Government must be having conversations around support for business!!
 

A swath of restaurants across regional Victoria closed in the weeks and days before Easter, unable to hang on through a traditionally busy trading period. Owners blame spiralling interest rates cutting into disposable incomes, hikes in power costs, government tax increase on liquor licences, and higher insurance premiums.

Commerce Ballarat CEO Jodie Gillett quotes figures she has gleaned from local businesses. “The electricity bill for one business was $5500 in October 2023; now it’s $8000,” she says. “A liquor licence in 2022 was $1000, now it’s $3400.” She also cites building insurance increases of 40 per cent. READ MORE HERE