4th October 2014 Thane Brady – 5 year vision for the Launceston Central Business District (CBD) and how this would be achieved? Background As a candidate for Alderman for the Launceston City Council I am responding to two questions put to me by City Prom. I make this statement unaware of any retail, development or business strategy already developed. If elected, in consideration of this and without the opportunity to listen to arguments pertaining to a specific matter/s connected to the questions at point I reserve the right to modify or withdraw my following comments. Current Situation It is pleasing to see some development occurring in our CBD, however the amount of vacant shop fronts send a clear message to us all. The CBD is in any city the heart, the commercial and or geographical centre – the central activities centre. Without any direct involvement my perception is City Prom performs well in the area of creating/ stimulating activities and promotions. We cannot escape the fact times have changed, demand for larger floor space makes many of our retail premises not suitable for mainland retail investment nor on a prima facie basis can many small business operators turn a profit utilising our current retail stock. Ideas for the future; 1. Create activities via hospitality / retail and residential activity strip As one of the pioneer business owners that helped create the “Paris end of Charles Street” I suggest consideration should be given to plan for a hospitality/ retail/ inner city accommodation re-development (the activity strip) down Charles Street and into Elizabeth Street. To anchor the end of the activity strip we already have the Canton, Toro’s and the Hotel Tasmania in Charles Street and the Cock n Bull in Elizabeth Street. The creation of the activity strip further enhances the “point of difference” drawing potential customers to the area who will flow into the CBD. Increased inner city accommodation will deliver on a daily basis potential repeat customers who will walk to their elected destinations. 2. If we do not have we must commission a development strategy for the CBD that includes: It has been many years since or CBD could boast a new significant retail building. To stimulate activity I would support in principal the LCC providing incentives to developers inclusive of a fixed rate strategy. It is proven small business benefits from a big retail development. Regardless of fault many developers complain of red and green tape holding up their development applications and adding significant costs. I understand continuous improvement and lean management principals and will make a priority setting development application service standards within the LCC. As a component to the overall activity strategy in principal I am sympathetic to “free parking” times within the CBD. Our mall looks boring, tired, uneventful offering little incentive to visit. I would welcome an investigation into extending the mall up Brisbane Street to incorporate the Quadrant mall. Within this re-development plan consideration should be given to suitable locations for surrounding area bus stops, prioritising foot and bicycle movement, family amenities including baby change facilities and allocating front of shop display space to create a vibrant retail atmosphere. A balance needs to be struck where this important area of the CBD has facilities and activities catering for our wide population demographic. 3. Penalty rates Accepting this is not a jurisdictional matter for the LCC however the lack of flexibility in applying penalty rates to weekend and public holiday trade is clearly a major barrier for retailers and hospitality operators. I can speak with some authority as I am an industrial relations practitioner. In recent years prior to 2009 a system called “preferred hours” allowed for employees to nominate available hours they were prepared to work, inclusive of weekends and public holidays. The system allowed for flexibility, especially for casual and part time employees committed to studies or family responsibilities on week days, but were available and willing to work on weekends and on public holidays on the normal rates of pay. The fairness of preferred hours was the employee received work when they were available therefore the employer was not demanding the employee work hours that conflicted with their personal responsibilities, thus no penalty was required to be paid. I would lobby for a regional concession whereby small business in areas such as Launceston could offer preferred hours to their employees. I strongly support safety net provisions to protect employees. The system must be genuine allowing true flexibility and a win / win situation. Creating an environment where the majority of CBD businesses traded 7 days per week would stimulate trade, employment and economic growth.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 09:56:33 +0000
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