Giving data twice

It's no wonder that small business owners complain about the intrusion of government into their lives. Each and every quarter they have to provide business activity to the Tax Office and statistical activity to the Bureau of Statistics. Now Lithgow Council have decided that owners can answer these types of questions all over again. In June this year Lithgow Council officers commenced a major project surveying retailers and business support services within the Lithgow Local Government Area. To date Council officers have visited retailers in the Lithgow area collecting over 100 surveys.

“The response rate has been extremely high and it is a credit to the community for the level of support shown for this important project,” Mayor Neville Castle said. The survey will now be taken through the shopping areas of Wallerawang and Portland. Outlying villages will also be surveyed. Council officers will be visiting these areas in the week commencing July 20.

The survey asks a range of specific but brief questions ranging from how many employees businesses have and how tourism affects their trade, to suggestions as to what can be done to improve business prospects in Lithgow. The information provided by businesses will be used to provide further direction into the Economic Development Strategy, Tourism Strategy and Local Environmental Plan.

“The aggregated information will be of great value in solving local problems, planning for the future and general promotion of the community and region,” Cr Castle said. Business owners are asked for their continued support for this initiative by investing up to five minutes of their time to answer the survey questions with the assistance of Council officers when they arrive at their premises. If the appropriate person is not available at the time the Council officer will return when more convenient.