Revive Leongatha’s CBD
SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council and the Leongatha Chamber of Commerce and Industry are working together on strategies to reinvigorate Leongatha’s CBD.
Council’s economic development coordinator Ken Fraser said he was keen to see Leongatha maintain a vibrant retail area. “We welcome the recent opening of Aldi, relocation of Henrietta’s, establishment of Youki’s Sushi Bar and new owners of other businesses,” he said.
“We are working closely with the chamber of commerce on ways to promote the town and build the businesses.”
Mr Fraser said this work recently included business resilience programs and starting the StreetLife program.
“We talk to businesses, individuals, agents and owners regarding potential opportunities. Businesses and landlords are also well aware of their important roles,” he said.
Chamber president Peter Watchorn said the summer period has been relatively steady from a retail point of view.
He said between Christmas, back to school and visitors to the area, retail trade was satisfactory.
“It didn’t break any records, but it certainly wasn’t bad. Across the board, retail was up a little bit over the summer period, which is good,” he said.
A current focus of council and the chamber is to see the Leongatha heavy vehicle alternate route implemented.
A key part of this has always been to improve the shopping experience in Bair Street and redevelop the street to make it more pedestrian friendly. This is planned to occur from mid 2016.
Mr Watchorn said the heavy vehicle alternate route was positive.
“There have been some question marks raised over the proposal, but there is never going to be a perfect solution,” he said.
“Once it is done, we can then develop Bair Street and make it more attractive with better parking and access. I sure we will see something happen there in the future,” he said.
Mr Watchorn said the chamber hoped some of Bair Street’s vacant shops would be filled soon.
“We have talked to the agents to discuss the issue with them and to find out what is happening, but there isn’t much more we can do,” he said.
“If the empty shops are not going to attract retailers, there is no reason it can’t be used as office space or a conference centre.”
Mr Fraser said while Bair Street does have a lot of empty retail space, council has received little interest from landlords seeking council assistance to find tenants.
“Landlords normally discuss their needs and seek support from agencies and private sector, such as real estate agents, financial advisors, and with the businesses and tenants that utilise their premises,” he said.
Council is currently preparing for the Regional Living Expo which will be held in May at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
Council’s focus at the expo will be marketing to people that can either bring a business with them, or are seeking to purchase a business.
“Across Australia, retail areas are undergoing major changes due to evolving consumer trends and behaviour and the impact of the internet,” Mr Fraser said.
“However, with the redevelopment of Bair Street and initiatives between council and the chamber of commerce, and with the support of community, we believe that Leongatha will be well placed to take advantages of these changes.”
Do something: from left, South Gippsland Shire Council business liaison officer Renee Littlejohn, council economic development coordinator Ken Fraser and Leongatha Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Peter Watchorn are hoping to see some changes in Leongatha’s Bair Street soon.
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