Optimism buoys Leongatha
LEONGATHA’s peak retail group is remaining positive about the town’s future despite the closure of businesses.
With numerous empty shops in Bair and McCartin streets, concerns have been expressed about the future of retail.
However the Leongatha Chamber of Commerce and Industry has assured Leongatha is hardly in a state of shopping disrepair, in the wake of the chamber’s annual general meeting on July 6.
President Peter Watchorn said the future of Leongatha was in safe hands.
“Everybody needs to be positive. Leongatha is ticking along just fine,” Mr Watchorn said, pointing out dairying and other industry was as strong as ever.
The chamber has massive plans for the town in the next 12 months, with long term plans approved by South Gippsland Shire Council.
With confirmation of the heavy vehicle alternate truck route going ahead, the chamber is thrilled to see plans made in conjunction with council and VicRoads put into motion.
Mr Watchorn, owner of Nextra Newsagency Leongatha, was pleased to see the project go ahead. He said it would provide more opportunities for other projects.
“We have a lot of projects underway focused on attracting customers to Leongatha,” Mr Watchorn said.
“We can now look to the redevelopment of Bair Street. This is our primary goal and it’s not going to happen overnight. It’s good to see we can now get that off the ground.”
Amongst many notable achievements, the chamber is looking forward to the impending unveiling of three new town signs to be placed at the entrances to Leongatha. A community committee is also working to raise funds for the Lennie Gwyther statue and other community fundraisers focused on highlighting local achievements.
The chamber committee was reinstated at the annual general meeting.
Mr Watchorn was re-elected to his third term as president. Vice president Brenton Williams will take over as president next
The joint position of secretary and treasurer will be shared by Sandra Fleming and Kathy Smith, following their successful teamwork last term.
Guest speaker Tim Kemp of Morrison Jefferis and Associates accountants discussed the future of business ownership in the digital age.
“For a lot of us, going online is the new challenge. We need to reinvent the way we sell our businesses using promotional tools for the next generation.” He said.
While some chamber members were apprehensive about the prospect of doing business over the internet, Mr Kemp said businesses can reach out further.
“We don’t just sell our products online; we sell our expertise and knowledge,” Mr Kemp said.
South Gippsland Shire Councillors Nigel Hutchinson-Brooks and Don Hill were among the 20 people to attend the annual meeting at Central Cafe, among them new and returning members.
Driving forces: from left, guest speaker Tim Kemp, with reinstated Leongatha Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Peter Watchorn, vice president Brenton Williams, secretary/treasurer Sandra Fleming, Alex Thorpe and secretary/treasurer Kathy Smith.
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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Jul 14 2015. Filed under Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
