Glenhuntly Road shopping strip

Elsternwick Main Street Committee levy too steep, trader warns

AN ELSTERNWICK trader says she could go out of business if forced to pay a special levy used to promote the shopping strip.

In 2016-17, the council collected about $175,000 on behalf of the traders’ association, Elsternwick Main Street Committee.

This year the collection zone has been extended from Nepean Highway to just past Shoobra Rd, taking in about 220 businesses that will together contribute $205,000 according to the value of the property.

The money will be used to promote events such as Easter and Christmas to bring more customers to the strip.

But Lana’s China Restoration owner, Lana Tsivlin, says she should not have to pay because it will not benefit her niche, 25-year-old business, which opens for only limited hours three days a week.

“Unlike other businesses in the centre, mine is not dependent on passing traffic for generating trade,” she said.

Read the full article by Bianca Carmona at Caulfield Glen Eira Leader.