A free listing on an online business directory was put forward as one of a list of benefits to come out of the Tourism & Economic Development Special Rate & Charge.

The levy was reinstated by the previous council two years ago.

Ballarat City Council marketing and business development director George Sossi said that in a survey commissioned by the council last year businesses indicated they did not want the website.

"They said to us you'd be just duplicating websites that are already out there and we took that on board," Mr Sossi said.

The survey was part of a review undertaken by the council of its economic development department.

Mr Sossi said as a result of a review, the council would take a new approach to business which focused on the city's different industry sectors rather than individual businesses.

"Whether it's IT, whether it's manufacturing, whether it's agriculture, what we're trying to do is concentrate at that level and work in with the industry sector itself."

The tourism and economic development charge is levied by the council on commercial and industrial ratepayers in Ballarat, raising about $1.1 million each year.

It caused concern among some businesses when the previous council decided in 2007 it would be reinstated until 2012.

They believed the cost was an unfair burden on small businesses which did not get value for money.

But the council has contended the money provided programs and projects that delivered tourism and economic benefits to commercial and industrial ratepayers.