Promotional fund

Special Charge Schemes for promotional funds are a fee or ‘rate’ charged to commercial properties within a defined boundary to be used for ‘marketing, promotion, township management, business development and other incidental expenses associated with the encouragement of commerce.’ Rather like a collective marketing scheme for a township.

Mornington Peninsula Shire currently have active promotional fund schemes in Mt Eliza, Mornington, Sorrento and Hastings. See attached documents for the boundary of each scheme.

The charge is invoiced and collected by Council on an annual basis for the term of each scheme – the dates vary but currently all schemes are running over 7 years and end in either 2026 or 2027.

The charge can be and is normally, passed on to property tenants/businesses as part of outgoings via their lease agreements.

While the Shire collects the funds all funds collected are passed on to the associated Chamber of Commerce/Trader group to spend under a management agreement. The group receiving the funds is required to submit an annual business/marketing plan, with annual audited financial statements and provide other specified quarterly documentation. Activities that are included in the management agreement and each business plan include development of a township brand, developing co-operative marketing activities, undertaking events, conducting business seminars and networking sessions and the engagement of a Marketing Coordinator on a part-time basis.

The charge is compulsory however some exemption provisions do apply.

Any property owners and/or tenants may apply for an exemption if:

A single business using the same Australian Business Number and trading name is located in two or more contiguous rateable properties, then the business would only incur one charge; or
A tenant is a charitable or not-for-profit organisation and provides a certificate of its charitable status, then the property would not incur a charge;
A property is used solely for residential purposes.

Exemption requests need to be made in writing and include:

the property address and ‘Debtor Number’ (this is a number that starts with ‘A’ and is usually at the top right-hand side of the invoice)
reason for exemption request; and
associated documentation (i.e. Certificate of Charitable Status).
Contact name and phone number

Email: business@mornpen.vic.gov.au

Mail:       Economic Development Unit
   Mornington Peninsula Shire
   Private Bag 1000, Rosebud 3939