1/ Events levy: If passed the so-called events levy, in which is no more than a tax on a tax on business, in the long run will be the last straw for many small operators whom are the backbone of employment in our rural towns and maybe forced to close than again. This may be the aim so foreign interest may buy them.

2/ The freight hub: Is this move going to make a profit and help reduce rates for the outlay of ratepayers money or become another white elephant as the rail freight of some 50 years ago that operated for about five to six years then closed as Tamworth has little or no produce to export to help it show a profit or is it a project of self-indulgence and own importance.

3/ Last but not least as reported by your paper (5/9/19 Country Hick Tamworth yokel), I honestly believe this is not helped by the way some portray on national media as the only talk about country music, rodeos, cutting horse events or the gig guide. Very little is spoken on Nundle’s China and gold festival or Manilla’s Mount Borah international pilots. Also, what may help is a proper clean up of rural towns and roads that date back to Cobb and Co.

D Davis

Manilla 

I think in principle the events levy is a good idea but it needs to be spent wisely. With this in mind the proposed expenditure should be disclosed to stakeholders (contributors) and the best forum for this would most likely be the Chamber of Commerce.

I say this for two reasons: one being the stakeholders need to have their input into how the money is spent; and secondly there may be some good ideas come up in that forum to on how and where to spend it. After all there are some good business brains in Tamworth and council should harness that to ensure the best outcome is achieved.

Richie Thornton

Tamworth

Seriously, I am not a business owner but even I can see that businesses are already struggling.  Councils answer to that is to increase rates for businesses. 

One of two things will happen, the cost of living for all Tamworth citizens will go up so businesses can cover the new levy, or businesses will close or fail to start up at all.

It is about time Tamworth council solves problems in ways other than simply taking more money from the pockets of its ratepayers.

Matt Cornwell

Calala

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