BID put to the vote in Silverdale

Starting next week, businesses in and around Silverdale will have a chance to vote in a ballot issued by their local business association, Silverdale Business.

The outcome will determine whether or not a Business Improvement District (BID) will be formed in Silverdale.

BIDs are a partnership between a business association and Auckland Council and aim to facilitate improvements and support business growth, funded by a targeted rate.

There are around 50 BIDs in Auckland – at present the only one locally is Destination Ōrewa Beach.

Silverdale Business is suggesting that its proposed BID would encompass Silverdale Village, the industrial area, Silverdale Centre, the businesses at the entrance to Silverdale (including Kings Plant Barn, Snowplanet, The Botanic and Pak ‘n Save) as well as Highgate and Millwater.

Forming a BID is a strictly regulated process: a successful ballot requires at least 25 percent of all ballot papers to be returned, and of those, a minimum of 51 percent of votes must be in favour of a Silverdale BID and the associated targeted rate. 

If the proposal passes that threshold, a BID will be formed and all businesses within the area defined by the final map must become members and pay a targeted rate to Council, which funds BID projects. 

The base targeted rate is $400 (plus GST) plus a small percentage of a property’s capital value. Forming a BID would increase paid membership of Silverdale Business from around 160 businesses currently, to around 600.

Business association chair Theo Simeonidis says becoming a BID will give the association a lot more resources to support and market its business community.

Voting process • The ballot runs from March 1-28. • It is being conducted by an independent ballot company, and will be done online, via email voting pack, or in some instances a postal voting pack. • Opportunities to vote include a Business After Five networking event at Silverdale Rugby Club on Thursday, March 16 from 5.30pm, which includes secure lodging of votes.  • Results are expected to be announced on March 31. Info: https://silverdalebusiness.co.nz/bid-project/