RIGOR MORTAR:-Shire inspired C.P.R for the C.B.D.

A York Shire ‘OFFICER RECOMMENDATION’ is for ratepayers to fund requests for embalming fluid for a number of allegedly decrepit properties in Avon Terrace to the tune of $18,750.

(It may be a grant-but who do you think actually picks up the tab and for what economically motivated, viable reason that has quantified added financial value for the community?)

You would think that Officer Harmer could have increased this rather piddling amount to at least the $20,000 that has already been allocated, and not bother to recommend that the background to the proposal appears in another (ad nauseam) confidential report attachment only to be viewed by usual suspects.

In other words- be slightly more generous (there is only $1,250 left) and a lot more transparent -which is not a Shire of York forte.

A Confidential Report is a Local Government euphemism for let’s not tell the peasants because we can claim some sub-legal, close to bullshit excuse such as it is not in the public interest to know any details- because the Shire says so.

This time the excuse is the disclosure of Confidential Business Information that could have a negative effect on the competitive position of a business enterprise that has submitted a Private and Confidential begging letter for public funding.

This is a valedictory vindication often used by WA Local Government Officers as their final words on the matter to try and keep ratepayers in the fungal vegetative state called being a ‘Mushroom’.

The recipients of the largest amounts of funding are B&L Smith, York Quality Butchers and the Imperial Homestead who will receive a combined total of $14,890 for an early 20^th Century, retro-paint job, décor and a clean-up- with all being private business enterprises.


Two should be considered to be well established, lucrative businesses, the other with the golden opportunity to be one.

The one that is yet to be opened as a business could be considered to be a public money funding irregularity at best.

Unlike the other two its $5,000 in ratepayer funding is for privately-owned premises that has yet to deliver any form of financial, commercial, social or required goods and services, directly business related benefits to the York ratepayer and the community.

Also what private and confidential commercial business matters does an enterprise that is yet to open its doors have to keep from public scrutiny?

It has no business records being profit and loss, as yet no known customer base and no known intellectual property to protect. Therefore it still has no known intrinsic value other than the known property purchase price as being a commercial property, Real Estate market valuation.

Any monies already spent on renovations have yet to add any additional market value to the property.

It is also doubtful that a number of farmer’s wives would want to keep their ownership of a new, unopened business a commercial secret?

The other fundamental question is should reasonably wealthy community members, who are financially supported by their family businesses, request additional financial support from the Shire to increase the ambience and value of a new, additional business enterprise? This should be a decision that the rest of the community is happy with!

But in the end- who really gives a ‘Rats’ about any form of possible conflict of interest in the financial support mechanisms used by local government to directly support specific, individual local businesses, including a local government owned commercial facility-the Forrest Bar and Cafe?

The amount the Imperial Homestead may receive is $1,140 more than the three Shire nominated, arguable not-for-profit organizations- that will share their less than generous portion of $3,860.

For years the owners of the Shell Service Station and adjoining properties managed to have a sort of Soweto Theme Park, inclusive of the ‘Leaning Tower of Rubber’, the ‘Old Battery Obstacle Course’ and the rusting shelters for homeless and/or itinerant vermin.

Pressure from Social Media saw the Shire of York finally take legally appropriate measures to ensure this decomposing detritus was removed to meet WA’s current regulatory community health standards.

Regarding one of the adjoining properties, the Shire of York, took legal action against a business proprietor, allegedly on behalf of the owners, for breaches of health regulations caused by building dilapidation that could have been claimed to be the owners responsibility. (This was in the time of Ray Hooper, so enough said.)

Once again it is not all about what York can do for you, but what you have done for York in the eyesore department until you were finally, officially told not to.

The Imperial Homestead was purchased by the current owners at a figure less than the previous owners paid for it over a decade ago.

The rule of thumb in real-estate is that a property, particularly domestic, can increase in value by up to 10% per annum- or up to 100% in 10 years.

Those days have gone, Australia wide, but there are special market places like York where property values can be up to 10% less than they were 10 years ago.

So the question is-did they get a bargain and should they obtain ratepayer financial support at this stage to paint a fence and de-guano an outdoor patio?
Regarding the York Quality Butchers their service to the community may deserve a new, local crowd funded, façade. That is a matter for the community to decide.

Everyone wants the re-beautification of York, not only in the CBD but along all the major entry points to the town.
 
Usually Government/ Private agreements of this kind are done on a 50% contribution by both parties.

This would mean that B&L Smith and the Imperial Homestead puts in $5,000 each, and York Quality Butchers- $4,890, to meet the Shires contribution of municipal monies of the same amount.  This kind of information appears to be being withheld.

York needs all the help it can get in clear and concisely developed business direction from the Shire of York- not just a lick of paint.

The creation of meaningful new ‘Events’ and realistic ‘Economic Development’ is just a Local Government catchphrase- not yet a reality in York.

To tart up a town is one thing, for this to produce any form of economic development is another.

The Shire of York has arguably got itself into the position where the only way it can attract new investment and businesses is to offer a raft of financial incentives, including waiving or reducing commercial rate valuations, to both current and future business owners.

This has been done internationally to stimulate growth in depressed areas, usually over a period of socio-economic adjustment of between one and five years, or until it actually works.

The likelihood of this, in York, where many cannot afford to pay already exorbitant domestic property rates is unlikely because of a deservedly apocalyptic, ratepayer reaction.

David Taylor.