By CASEY NEILL
THE Committee for Dandenong says businesses should have a greater say in shaping local government.
It’s supporting a push from South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich for a change to council voting laws, to allow business tenants a say.
“There is no better way to get your priorities on the agenda, have them considered and feed them into the strategic plan than actually having an impact on elections,” she said.
“What we need to do is find a way for the voices of business owners to be heard, just like those of any other stakeholders in the community.”
Committee for Dandenong chairman Gary Castricum said the group strongly supported businesses voting in local elections.
“We do believe that all business operators (tenants or otherwise) and business property owners should be entitled to vote, and should do so,” he said.
“Given that over half the rates of the City of Greater Dandenong are paid by businesses, a lot more should be done to encourage business owners to vote.”
Mr Castricum said that in some circumstances, a business tenant in Dandenong could vote if they paid council rates as part of their lease agreement.
“We are not aware how much this occurs or how it impacts on the property owners rights to vote,” he said.
City of Greater Dandenong corporate services director Mick Jaensch said that businesses could vote in council elections by appointing an appropriate person to vote on their behalf.
He said the council promoted this during last year’s election.
“Council also sent a mail out to approximately 5000 business owners and occupiers, providing them with a fact sheet and nomination form, to which council received only 36 valid nominations,” he said.
