The proposed increase will this month go before NSW Local Government Minister Barbara Perry, who is expected to approve or quash it around the start of July.

In a newsletter to ratepayers last month, Great Lakes Council summed up its plan: ‘Council is proposing a 12 per cent increase in the business rate which will produce $250,000 to be allocated to the annual tourism budget.’

The document quoted an industry report valuing local tourism at $245 million.

Forums last month were promoted as a chance for locals to ask questions and have their say on any part of April’s budget, but Cr McWilliams said there was no business backlash.

“We held four forums and not one businessperson attended,” she said.

“It’s been publicised enough, so I think that’s an indication most people are sitting okay with [the levy].”

But Forster Tuncurry chamber of commerce president Joanne Jay said “there is a concern” in the business community about the proposal.

“[Opinion] is divided about 50-50,” she said.

“A lot of businesses say it makes sense to help carry the tourism support costs. But some businesses say they don’t benefit directly from tourism, so they shouldn’t face extra costs.”

Not everyone complaining about the proposal is a commercial property tenant.

In a letter to the Advocate, insisting they don’t own or operate a local business, Tuncurry’s Eric and Robyn Leslie criticised the move.

“Businesses [will] just find it too tough owing to the already declining economy and other increases such as rent, so they [will] pack their bags and close up shop.”

Cr McWilliams said that forecast was an exaggeration.

“What we’re going for could not affect any business to that extent, to put them out the backdoor,” she said.

“We’re very conscious of people’s position, how tight things are.

“We’ve had to do a rate restructure. Some people’s rates have gone down, some have gone up.”