The value of cash debated

When Silverdale café Sierra went cashless recently, it caused a stir – along with interest as to whether this may be a growing trend.

Consumer NZ says a business can refuse to accept payment in cash – however they should be upfront about it to prevent any awkward situation from arising. Sierra is doing that with a prominent sign.

Silverdale Business general manager Tasha Gummer says reasons why a business may choose this course of action include avoiding having cash around, which is potentially open to theft.

Using digital payments also allows businesses to streamline operations and avoid the hassle of managing cash, she says. But she says there is still a strong demand for cash transactions, especially among certain groups like the elderly. So, businesses that refuse cash may lose customers who want to pay with cash.

Local café owners say one bonus for cash is the cost of Paywave, which puts prices up for customers. There is also an underlying concern that moving entirely to digital

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started. She says the operations team is yet to be confirmed and the committee is being formulated for July 1.

The BID covers Silverdale’s industrial and retail areas, which includes a very broad range of businesses.

Surveys by Silverdale Business showed that some key areas local businesses are concerned about are security, marketing and promotion, advocacy over infrastructure and policy issues and improving connectivity.

“Our priority is to deliver our business plan over the next 12 months,” Gummer says.

Voices for Freedom’s poster promoting the continued use of cash is on display at a number of local businesses, while one café in Silverdale recently took the step of refusing to accept cash.

transactions leaves businesses vulnerable should there be problems with the technology, such as in a Civil Defence emergency.

“It’s hard to predict what the future holds. While some businesses see the benefits of going cashless, others understand the importance of accommodating different customer preferences. Ultimately, it depends on market dynamics and what customers demand,” Gummer says.

At the end of last month, Mayor Wayne Brown and Councillors considered how the proposed $20 million Storm Response Fund might be allocated to improve Auckland’s ability to prepare for and respond to future storms. In a press release, the Mayor indicated that Council’s priorities include strengthening Auckland Emergency Management (AEM) and specific Civil Defence Centre locations, supporting storm resilient communities, funding community-led planning and preparedness, proactive monitoring and maintenance of the flood network, and accelerated adaptation planning. Part of the fund will be tagged for proactive maintenance, such as clearing catchpits and streams. The Mayor said he was impressed by community-led responses during the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. In Puhoi, local residents led by the fire chief cleaned-up the entire town. “Their cando attitude and coordinated efforts make me confident that Local Boards can take charge in an emergency, and that more decision-making powers and resources should sit closer to communities,” he said. “We are looking at funding the community response, and stationing containers with emergency provisions at more Civil Defence Centres and marae across the region. We are hyper-conscious of the recommendations of the Bush Report, and we committed to doing things differently. He said while Council’s storm response will still be centrally coordinated by AEM, it won’t be top-down anymore. “We will work closely with Local Boards to develop and progress these concepts.” Council’s Healthy Waters (stormwater) team is working on an early flood warning system. They’ve identified 300 flooding ‘hotspots’ and will look at installing cameras integrated in the Watercare control room which is monitored 24/7.

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