Jane Easthope… “The potential to create a vibrant mid-city hub is overlooked with the preference to set up West Basin for future land sales further disconnecting visitor experiences. . Photo by Silas Brown
THE government hasn’t addressed the issues or the need to revitalise Civic’s centre, says Jane Easthope, CEO of Canberra CBD Limited in an unhappy response to the ACT Budget.
“The commercial property owners and their tenants in Braddon, Turner and the City prop up the CBD with almost $100 million in fees and charges, yet see little encouragement to help government with their urban-renewal campaign. Increasingly, the figures don’t stack up,” she said, echoing the earlier criticism of the Budget by the ACT Property Council.
“Twenty-five per cent in the fire and emergency service levy on top of last year’s 35 per cent increase, plus the mountainous obstacle of lease variation charges are major shackles to upgrading or renewing buildings.
“Again, the potential to create a vibrant mid-city hub is overlooked with the preference to set up West Basin for future land sales further disconnecting visitor experiences. Imagine what it might be like to be a tourist!
“Rather than creating new visitor destinations without additional maintenance money, Canberra CBD Limited would like to see new uses in existing places and tired buildings.
“After all, the success of Capital Metro will be enhanced by people living and using the places and spaces in a central hub, which is naturally on Northbourne nearby the Sydney and Melbourne Buildings with connections radiating outwards. It is not clear how much of the $20 million allocated to Northbourne Avenue corridor will be quarantined for the city.
“Without government partnership, the mid-city precinct will continue to look as though something is economically and culturally wrong. We appreciate the conversation about supply and demand, but all of the government frontiers appear to be providing supply at the expense of the CBD.
“In regards to the new parking fees, the CBD is being unfairly penalised against other town centres. Paying for parking through to 10.30pm is enough to deter diners and late-night designated drivers from using the CBD, which is reliant on a prosperous night-time economy.
“Canberra CBD Limited will continue to do its best in activating public spaces with events such as the month long skate rink starting in late June, the world curry festival in mid-July, an expanded Christmas in the City, and a variety of partnerships in delivering street parties, festivals and celebrations costing over half a million dollars adding over $11 million to the local economy. The future location and investment into Floriade is obscure with some funds allocated to restoring Commonwealth Park.
“Government is to be congratulated in transferring the lighting of the Canberra Christmas tree and other Christmas-related activities to Canberra CBD Limited. This funding will help us grow a tourism event and attempt to break another world record.
“It is pleasing that the city improvements program is re-introduced, however $1.5 million over two years in Braddon and Haig Park will quickly evaporate with multitudes of projects begging attention.
“Previously the investment had been $22 million over three years and this far smaller amount will simply fund improved safety and amenity in the Braddon end of Haig Park and fix up some of the broken pavements. Whilst the current lease variation charges discourage owners from redeveloping the pavements as a part of their building works, we will be left with trip hazards and dirt.
“It is unclear whether there is additional funding for cleaning the CBD. Grimy pavements in the city and the token litter picking and street sweeping in Braddon is simply not enough. It is time to treat Braddon like the city and at the very least run a funded garbage service. It is time to respect and invest in the look and feel of the CBD because this is a major tourism destination with many visitors staying in any one of the 11 hotels.
“It is pleasing that visitor destinations such as the theatre and convention centre are being maintained and modernised because we have to look after our current assets whilst we wait for these major city shaping projects identified in Governments 2014 City Plan.”
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