Under the HDC Business Improvement District Policy, a BID is a formal partnership between the local authority and a defined business community, supported by a targeted rate levied on and collected from non-residential properties within an approved boundary. BIDs enable business groups with a clear community mandate to develop services that complement existing Council programmes and give their precinct a more effective collective voice in shaping Council strategy and achieving better outcomes for their community.

The WestSide Association Membership is actively advocating for Heretaunga Street West to be recognised as a distinct BID-eligible precinct under the HDC framework. Our position is that the 100–400 block catchment — encompassing over 60 registered businesses, significant daily foot traffic and a demonstrable community identity — meets the criteria for targeted rate support.

We are formally seeking 50% of the city BID allocation to be directed to WestSide through a dedicated targeted rate, consistent with HDC's stated objective of enabling communities to speak with a collective voice and achieve better outcomes for their precinct.