Letter to the editor 9/5

ATTENTION to the Ballan community,

We wanted to express something that has been of great concern recently and possibly that of a few local business owners. We are sure that once you read further, you will all understand why.

We have noticed that a local car mechanics garage business has started hosting non-local food trucks on a regular basis.

While we all appreciate a bit of variety, this move is causing genuine concern among those of us who live, work and invest in this town every day who rely on their working opportunities.

Local cafes, restaurants and food businesses pay rates here, employ locals, support community events, and source from local suppliers. We all do our part to keep this community vibrant and self-sustaining.

When revenue is siphoned away to outside operators who contribute nothing back, it directly threatens the viability of local jobs, local spending, and ultimately, the spirit of our community.

This isn’t just about competition – we’re used to that. It’s about fairness and sustainability. A short-term cash boost for one business shouldn’t come at the long-term cost to the wider local economy.

We would love to see collaboration rather than fragmentation – maybe there’s a way to support or feature local vendors, or find a more community-minded model that benefits everyone.

We are all in this community together, and what strengthens one business should ideally help lift us all. Ballan is community-minded and this needs to be nurtured for us all to prosper.

Signed, Concerned About Ballan