By Tyler Wright
Dandenong Ranges businesses and tradespeople will be able to have their say on issues that matter to them in a Q&A with Monbulk electorate Liberal candidate Gareth Ward and Labor candidate Daniela De Martino this month.
The Eastern Dandenong Ranges Association (EDRA), which represents small businesses in the area, will be holding the event on Friday October 21 at the Hills Hub in Emerald from 7am to 9am.
“It’s appropriate that we ensure that our not only our members, but those in the small business world are well understood as far as their concerns, and also have a good idea on what the plans are, for potentially the incumbent of the election,” EDRA chairperson John Wall said.
“Too often, we find that there’s not enough focus on the small business people and they get neglected, which is kind of difficult because we represent such an important part of the economy,” Mr Wall said.
The issues of paramount concern for small businesses in the eastern Dandenong Ranges are power, telecommunications and the availability of labor, according to Mr Wall.
“Personally, we were affected by collectively nine days without power in June, and in October… but there were other people in the area that were affected much longer than that,” Mr Wall said.
“Our property is now underground power, but the vast majority of the area, beyond just the the local limits of the suburbs, are not.
So there’s quite a few people – and that includes a lot of businesses – that either have to have power generators, or do without, and when you’re in business, you can’t open unless you’ve got electricity.”
The Victorian Government supplied generators to households in need last year, but Mr Wall said EDRA wants the Monbulk candidates to understand the financial costs businesses have to wear.
“You’re talking about plus $5,000 investment, just to get a generator and have it installed,” he said.
“We also need to understand where the state political system is going to drive that because if we’re going to continue to be expected to provide that sort of replacement, we need to understand what we’re going to be compensated as well.
Mr Wall said some Dandenong Ranges businesses have experienced a lack of staff; a major issue in the area.
On the day, attendees will have around 15 to 20 minutes to ask questions.
For tickets, visit https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=954088&
The Hills Hub is located at 402 Emerald-Monbulk Road, Emerald.
