Businesses pay well above their share – BVH sets out its budget priorities
Member Notice: Business Victor Harbor members can access the full budget submission, along with other advocacy documents, through the Advocacy section of the BVH App.
BUSINESS VICTOR HARBOR Business advocacy for Victor Harbor
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
Victor Harbor, 2 July 2026
Business Victor Harbor (BVH) has made a submission on the City of Victor Harbor’s draft 2026/27 budget – backing key investments in the city’s future, highlighting how much local business contributes, and calling for clearer reporting of how economic development funds are spent.
Commercial and industrial properties make up just 4.9% of the city’s rateable properties, but pay around 7.5% of all council rates – about $2.58 million a year – plus fees, permits and charges on top.
Businesses pay a higher rate than households: 30% more in the dollar for commercial properties, 15% more for industrial. That premium above the residential rate – the “differential” – raises about $500,000 a year for economic development. But it is only a premium on top of the residential rate, and less than a fifth of what businesses pay in rates overall.
In its submission, BVH also:
welcomed Council’s investment in events, destination marketing and the $520,000 footpath program;
encouraged Council to get greater value from the community assets it already owns before taking on new costs, and offered the local business community’s expertise to help;
backed support for SteamRanger and the Victor Harbor Railway Station ahead of the station’s centenary and the Cockle Train’s 40th anniversary;
asked Council to keep rate rises as low as sustainably possible amid rising costs for business; and
called for the money raised for economic development to be reported clearly and linked to real outcomes – investment, business growth and jobs.
Quote attributable to Kirsten Pitman, President, Business Victor Harbor:
“Businesses are under 5% of ratepayers but pay 7.5% of the rates – well above their share, and far more than the $500,000 differential that usually gets quoted. We’ve backed the investments that grow our city, and we’re simply asking that business’s contribution be recognised and that the community can see clearly how the money is spent.”
ENDS
Media contact: Kirsten Pitman, President · 0409 696 550 · president@businessvictorharbor.com.au
Business Victor Harbor is the independent business advocacy body for Victor Harbor, representing more than 150 member businesses. BVH receives grant funding from the City of Victor Harbor and engages with Council as an independent representative of the business community.
2/23 Victoria Street, Victor Harbor SA 5211 | 0436 677 188 | admin@businessvictorharbor.com.au