Adelaide CBD traders groups encouraged to wind up
Trader and precinct groups across the CBD and North Adelaide would be “encouraged” to wind up under a plan to “accelerate economic growth”.
City
Don't miss out on the headlines from City. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Adelaide City Council would have more control over CBD and North Adelaide retail precincts under a plan that encourages volunteer precinct groups to shut down.
At a workshop later this week, a council committee will discuss establishing a new council-wide task force called the Adelaide Economic Development Agency to “accelerate economic growth”.
The proposed initiative would help the areas compete with online shopping and suburban retailers, as well as attract more people to live, work, visit, spend and invest in central Adelaide.
Currently, there are eight not-for-profit traders groups in Adelaide, which would all be encouraged to “wind up” in their current form and “transition” to the new structure.
“Administration is of the view, as (is) the Adelaide Business Collective (a not-for-profit representing 175 city businesses) and precinct groups themselves, that the current model is not serving the city well,” a council report says.
Under the plan, the council would form a board with up to 12 independent members, including one councillor.
The board would cover four districts – North Adelaide, the Rundle and Hindley St precinct, city southwest and city southeast.
Each district would have a subcommittee of representatives to “support local area input and knowledge”, but it would have no decision-making power.
“It is expected that existing chairs would all receive a seat on the relevant subcommittee, with other seats filled by business owners and operators within the district,” the council report says.
“Council maintains the ability to align the organisation with its strategic objectives.”
But Adelaide West End Association chairman Andrew Wallace feared there would not be enough community representation in the agency.
“The model they are proposing at the moment, just working with good business people – as good as they will be – is missing local representation,” he said.
Groups had been left in the dark, he said, and in his view four districts was not enough to represent the wider community.
Adelaide City councillor Rob Simms shared some of Mr Wallace’s fears.
“I do have concerns that members of the community would be disenfranchised by what could be called a super-committee,” Cr Simms said.
MORE NEWS
Goalposts shifted for Crows’ parklands bid, critics say
Is it time to ban election corflutes?
Luxury apartments planned to loom over East End
Adelaide Business Collective committee member David West said the new model would give businesses that did not fit into a precinct a chance to be represented.
He said the collective supported the proposal.
“Say if you were a business on Pulteney St, you aren’t part of a business group as such because it is a bit far from the nearest group – Hutt St,” Mr West said.
“We want to be more inclusive so all businesses can be a member of a precinct group.”
The Advertiser has sought comment from Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor.
Traders groups were contacted, but said they needed more information before being able to give an opinion.
The workshop will be held on Thursday, November 7.
No decision will be made at that stage.
However, the report suggests the new agency – if subsequently approved by the city council – would begin operating in mid-2020.