EMPTY shops in the heart of the city are impacting the attractiveness of the main street, according to Mount Gambier City Councillor Sonya Mezinec.
Putting forward a motion at this week’s full council meeting to address the issue, the councillor said she had counted a total of 19 vacant shops that are not being used to their full potential.
“If we are working at trying to promote our city as a vibrant place then having so many empty and unattractive properties is not doing us any good,” she said.
“The shop between Member for Barker Tony Pasin’s office and Lima and Co – where they have a display of origami cranes – is now probably filled with more flies than cranes.
“When people come to visit our city they do come to the centre, for cafes, the library and Cave Gardens, but walking down Commercial Street they would see these empty shops.”
Seeing the problem faced by other councils in the country, Cr Mezinec said the purpose of her motion was to find ways to use these spaces to enhance the city.
“Other cities such as Newcastle have implemented strategies to revitalise the heart of their city, attracting a lot of activity,” she said.
“The purpose of my motion is the council liaise with landlords, real estate agents, the Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce and any other interested parties to discuss strategies and incentives to encourage a range of activities that could be situated in these shops.
“We know there is activity happening in the city, but perhaps we can have that a bit more visible to those that visit us and in turn revitalise the city.”
Pleased to see Cr Mezinec put the issue in the spotlight, Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce president Lynette Martin said it was a matter chamber members were concerned about.
“I certainly do not think it is an attractive look to have shopfronts not kept clean and have already started some conversations on this issue,” she said.
“Yesterday I spoke with real estate agents and the problem was brought forward about absentee landlords who are difficult to contact and do not see the issue first-hand.
“My thought is that perhaps council could bring in a bylaw or regulation standard that must be upheld in shops.
“I am very keen to work together with council towards a resolution.”
Fellow councillor Christian Greco seconded the motion and congratulated Cr Mezinec for bringing it forward.
“I whole-heartedly support this and will do anything I can to help out,” he said.
Understanding the difficulties involved, Cr Mezinec said her aim was to start the conversation and facilitate a workshop with other interested people in the community.
“Let’s see if there are some submissions out there and tap into that knowledge,” she said.
Cr Mezinec’s motion was carried, with plans to run a workshop with key stakeholders and interested parties within the next six weeks.
