Mount Gambier Council votes to overhaul empty and rundown CBD shops

A council-led overhaul could see untenanted and “unsightly” Mount Gambier CBD shops replaced with non-retail businesses or even residential townhouses.

Newly built, untenanted shop fonts on Commercial Street East in Mount Gambier.

Untenanted and “unsightly” shops are degrading the city’s CBD, according to a Mount Gambier councillor.

Cr Ben Hood moved a motion at Tuesday night’s council meeting saying empty and rundown shops reflected poorly on the city and urged the council to investigate strategies and incentives to encourage take-up and set quality standards.

“Untenanted commercial premises and the degrading upkeep of shop frontages within the CBD has been an ever-present issue for the city for a number of years,” Cr Hood said.

96 Commercial Street East in Mount Gambier.

“Council must take the lead to develop strategies and effective incentives to encourage landlords and prospective businesses to use these premises.

“It may mean that within the CBD we look to open up to residential townhouses.

“We should be encouraging service based businesses like physios and other health providers to come into the CBD.”

A former fish and chip shop remains empty on Commercial Street East in Mount Gambier.

Cr Hood noted the council had no legislative power to enforce minimum shopfront standards but said it must work with business groups to improve streetscapes.

“Partnering with landlords, retail operators, commercial real estate agents and community organisations such as the (Mount Gambier) Chamber (of Commerce) and WiBRD (Women in Business and Regional Development) in the development of these standards to be followed can foster a team Mount Gambier approach to ensure a vibrant, clean, beautiful CBD to be enjoyed by all in community and those who visit our community,” he said.

Ben Hood – City of Mount Gambier Council. Picture: Louise Agnew Photography

Frank Morello – City of Mount Gambier Council. Picture: Louise Agnew Photography

Cr Frank Morello supported Cr Hood’s motion but said it was important to look at the future role of the CBD.

“The presentation of our CBD is reflective of our community, a CBD that’s vibrant, that’s clean, that’s expressive, its attractive to visitors, residents and investors, the CBD to the contrary, has a negative connotation and rundown properties devalue the precinct and are unfair of those businesses who do take pride on their establishments,” Cr Morello said.

The former Bahn Kubo restaurant remains empty on Commercial Street East in Mount Gambier.

“Our planning rules are limitations to innovative thinking … how do we transform the CBD into a destination, offering differentiated experiences for all users – employer, employees, shoppers, visitors, residents and youth.”

The landscape of Mount Gambier’s CBD has shifted with the opening of new Coles and Aldi supermarkets

Cr Sonya Mezenic said the number and location of empty shops had changed over recent years with a move away from tradition retail.

Newly built, untenanted shops attached to Mount Gambier's new Coles.

“Often we focus on retail, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be retail,” Cr Mezenic said.

“Already we’re seeing some different uses along the main street, and I think that’s really positive, but if we can attract those different sorts of things we’ve got a buzzing, vibrant CBD.”

Elected members voted to conduct a workshop with relevant business groups to investigate how to encourage take up of untenanted premises and develop policy for quality standards in the CBD.