Ballina business owners have until tomorrow to have their say on how shark attacks in the area have impacted on their businesses.
The Ballina Chamber of Commerce has been conducting a survey, which closes tomorrow (Friday).
The chamber’s executive officer Nadia Elliot-Burgess said data in recent times had shown little impact despite some anecdotal evidence suggesting that shark attacks had resulted in a negative impact on businesses.
Ms Elliot-Burgess said school holidays were an ideal time to guage the impact of shark activity along local beaches.
‘We need concrete statistics and dates so we can look for possible opportunities to leverage for funds for promotion of the area and support programs for the area,’ she said.
She said all businesses had been invited to contribute to the survey, which involves eight questions.
The survey asks the industry type, number of employees , and whether there had been a notable downturn in trade.
If businesses answer yes, they are then asked to estimate their lost income per week, and what sort of assistance would be helpful.
Businesses are also asked whether they are aware of other businesses in their network which were struggling as a result of shark activity.
Business owners are also asked to make any general comments regarding shark activity in the local area.
The survey questions can be found at http://business.ballinachamber.com.au/news/details/shark-activity-survey and answers can be sent to [email protected]
More stories on the NSW shark summit
Call to trial shark technologies in Ballina waters
Ballina beaches should be among the first to trial some of the new shark repellent technologies being discussed at today’s shark summit in Sydney, according to Ballina MP Tamara Smith.
Ballina mayor excluded from Sydney shark summit
Ballina's mayor David Wright has been excluded from a shark summit in Sydney tomorrow but is confident that a further summit in October will provide answers to the shark menace threatening the far north coast.
Ballina businesses surveyed about shark impacts
Ballina business owners have until tomorrow to have their say on how shark attacks in the area have impacted on their businesses.
No, I think I have about a 1,000 times greater chance of being killed by one of your bogans on the road.
Does any body care what these businesses that are dedicated to ripping off the tourists in this area think or are concerned about ?
Sharks are a natural hazard, that’s what makes surfing etc an adventure !
Business owners who can’t deal with this should go.
Shark welfare is much more important than businesses or tourists !
G”)
I know of one family who decided not to come up from Canberra during these school holidays. There’s probably more amongst the beach/ surfing crowd.