Newcastle City Council’s proposed plans to reinstate a local public holiday for the Newcastle Show has been met with strong opposition from the Hunter Business Chamber.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes will call on her fellow council members to support the push to bring back the public holiday at tonight’s council meeting.
However Kristen Keegan, the Business Chamber’s CEO, has hit back at the proposal after analysing the massive costs that small to medium local businesses will incur.
“A cost benefit analysis has shown combined costs to business in both the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie LGA to be estimated at $35.2-million for that one day alone.”
Ms Keegan went on to state the proposed decision demonstrates the council’s apparent disconnect with the business community.
“Local government is meant to be the closest level of government to the community, yet they seem oblivious to current dire business conditions and how this will also negatively impact on employees.”
We’ll have more on this story tonight in our bulletin at 6.00pm.
