Collective voice for city commerce

THE City Of Casey Chamber of Commerce met last week for its second official meeting since coming together to form a collective voice earlier this year.
Berwick, Narre Warren, Hampton Park and Tooradin shopping precincts were all represented at the meeting that discussed issues and objectives that the group would tackle in the future.
Narre Warren Chamber of Commerce president Bob Burns said the night went well but was disappointed at the absence of members from Cranbourne.
“There was a reasonable showing for the meeting, not quite as good as previously.
“It was disappointing that no one from Cranbourne came but hopefully that will change at the next meeting in February,” Mr Burns said.
Mr Burns said that the group discusses objectives that the group hoped to achieve as a collective, basing its efforts on the success of the Camberwell Chamber of Commerce.
The meeting also discussed in length about the need to consider a special levy for all members of the group.
“The idea is that the special levy would be charged by the council and then those fees would be put back into the Chamber of Commerce for advertising and infrastructure for the shopping precinct,” Mr Burns said.
“One of the major issues that groups like us have to overcome is where to find funding.
“Most groups spend most of their time trying to find funds, we think that this special levy will overcome that problem,” Mr Burns said.
Mr Burns said that the Berwick Chamber of Commerce has shown enormous benefits in terms of infrastructure and advertising benefits for its members without the council needing to contribute a cent.
“It will be interesting to see whether the collective will be as successful,” Mr Burns said.
“Our next meeting will be held in early February, hopefully the meeting will have a greater attendance than this time,” Mr Burns said.
For more information about the collective group or any individual chamber of commerce in the City of Casey, contact Angela Smyth on 9705 5125.