Self-image

By Lilly O’Gorman and Jade Lawton
The BID would see each business within Berwick Village charged a special levy, reaping an approximate $100,000, which would in turn fund a part-time centre manager, marketing and special events officer in the town.
Speaking at the BVCC meeting on Monday night, president Peter Fraser said the chamber needed to improve its profile and become more engaged with traders before introducing BIDs.
“We are clearly missing the mark with efforts to attract members with information sessions, surveys and fliers. We are doing a lot of work for negative return,” he said.
The chamber has hosted at least three BIDs information sessions, attracting relatively small numbers to each session.
The chamber also sent out 240 questionaries to traders and has personally delivered fliers promoting BIDs.
Michelle Frazer, Liberal candidate for Narre Warren North, suggested an independent contractor to liaise between the chamber and council.
“If you include a special rate and car parking in the business plan and present it to council, it will be adopted as policy by the council. You need to be strategic,” she said.
Mr Fraser did not rule out revising the business plan.
“We would need to re-strategise how we are going to bring in a BID,” he said.