Alex Antic: Hutt St was once a thriving precinct but is now becoming an economic wasteland

HUTT St was once a thriving precinct but urgent solutions are needed before violence and anti-social behaviour makes it an economic wasteland, says Alex Antic.

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I HAVE always felt a strong sense of admiration for people who are prepared to risk their financial security on starting a small business.

Those who do so are passionate, pragmatic types, who understand the burdens of cash flow, dealing with regulations, and hiring staff.

To paraphrase Sir Robert Menzies, these people are “lifters” not “leaners”. They are the champions of individual enterprise, and contribute immeasurably to the fabric of our society. They provide us with employment, services, meals and remind us of the value of a hard earned dollar.

It got me thinking how regularly their hard working contribution to our community is taken for granted. This has been highlighted recently by the disturbing situation facing businesses in Hutt Street.

I have previously written about the difficulties being experienced by the Hutt Street traders.

Alfonso’s Continental owners Nino and Anna Castello closed their Hutt St restaurant last year. Picture: Mike Burton/AAP

A street which was once a thriving cafe and restaurant precinct is fast becoming a barren economic wasteland.

It was revealed last week that Adelaide remains the ice capital of the nation and that being so, Hutt Street may well be its metropolitan epicentre.

On a daily basis, the people of that precinct are terrorised by the scourge of serious criminal and anti-social behaviour.

The local traders and their customers are frequently menaced by persons affected by illicit drugs and/or alcohol. They tell story after story of assaults, melees, drug dealing and general disturbances. When they are not fighting off offenders themselves, they are burning their valuable time contacting police and giving statements.

Many business owners have already packed up and left, and there are now as many vacancies in the street as there are occupancies. It is for this reason that the street has earned the title “Shut Street”.

I have campaigned for this issue to get the attention it deserves and have championed a range of measures for the area, including the installation of monitored CCTV cameras. Unfortunately local government does not have the ability to solve this problem on its own and a permanent resolution is yet to be found.

Consequently I will be asking Adelaide City Council to consider employing “Precinct Safety and Surveillance Officers”, whose mandate will be to observe and report signs of anti social and criminal behaviour to the relevant authorities to prompt immediate and appropriate action.

Until a permanent solution is found, Council must remove some of the burden from its ratepayers, and assist them to run their businesses.

If one is not found promptly, all that will be left to monitor will be a street full of vacant shops.

■ALEX ANTIC IS AN ADELAIDE CITY COUNCILLOR