By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
“RIDICULOUS” levels of planning processes are a major barrier to small businesses in Geelong, according to a former president of the city’s chamber of commerce.
“A classic example in the building industry is the town planning approval process,” Mark Sanders said.
“The hoops that need to be jumped through in terms of the amount of information that needs to be provided and the time the whole process can take is ridiculous.
“Treating everyone with a lowest-common-denominator attitude costs society in the long run, especially when government at all levels is crying out for affordable development.”
Mr Sanders said he was supporting Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Small Business, Too Big To Ignore campaign, focussing on four key areas of “unnecessary burdens”.
Reducing red tape, simplifying the tax system, making employing people easier and improving infrastructure were the biggest priorities, he said.
“There are so many examples of red tape that prevent business from growing and thriving.
“The Geelong business community is passionate about engaging with our local community and providing the highest level of service to our wonderful clients and these reforms would enable us to do that.”
Paul Robson, a partner at Geelong’s Crowe Horvath accountants, said red tape was small businesses’ number-one complaint.
“From development opportunities to a simple sandwich board in a public space, the approval processes is a constant distraction and burden on productivity,” he said.
“And not only red tape but green tape concerning environmental issues is also increasing. Since the last election the (previous federal) government passed over 200 new Bills.”
