The condition of buildings, rental levels and the challenging economic environment are some of the causes of empty shops along Smith St, according to CEO Trevor Smart.

Mr Smart said while some may suggest shop vacancies were caused by parking, “there are also many other issues”.

Meanwhile, a previous council’s suggestion to purchase 9 Ormerod St as part of its Town Centre Rejuvenation Plan might also be considered with Mr Smart stating that property was now on the market.

His comments come in the wake of questions from The [Naracoorte Community] News regarding the Town Centre Rejuvenation Plan and the council’s recent $1.2 million offer, negotiated by Mr Smart, to purchase the former ANZ Bank site, subject to community consultation. It had been listed on the open market for $1.295 million.

The rejuvenation plan under the previous council was estimated to cost $10 million which included Ormerod becoming one way with angle parking for around 20 extra car parks – as previously reported.

But the current council pushed for a meeting with the business sector, and subsequently axed plans to turn Ormerod into a one way street.

Mr Smart said the original and more recently reviewed rejuvenation plan “outlined many opportunities that were provided in a conceptual context and with broad cost estimates at the time”.

“Many of these included some additional parking opportunities, with the actual number being unknown at the time of the plan being endorsed,” Mr Smart said.

“The specific number of carparks would be subject to detailed designs being undertaken for the relevant components.

“The concept of Ormerod St being one-way has been amended to retain two way traffic flows – and this was decided by (the current) council following further engagement with the business sector.”

Mr Smart said there were previously suggestions made “to ‘cut into’ the northern side of town squares to enable some angle parking”.

“Further assessment was done on this suggestion with the outcome being very minimal additional spaces, but with the loss of trees, plus reasonable costs – kerb realignment, and road re-sealing.”

The current council was no longer pursuing that idea either.

The [Naracoorte Community] News queried suggestions that under the previous council’s rejuvenation plan it was going to offer $1m for the purchase of Norman’s Carpets and its private car park.

Mr Smart said: “The rejuvenation plan does outline an estimated cost of $1m for increasing on-street parking on Robertson St, Ormerod St, DeGaris Pl, and Riverside Dr – with the majority of that being through reconfiguration of traffic flow – that is, one way.

“The rejuvenation plan did identify opportunities to purchase property such as Normans Carpets.

“This provided outcomes of an improved western entry point to the town centre – open green space – improved access to Riverside Drive for longer vehicles, and additional parking spaces.

“The concept plans indicate some 20 additional carpark spaces, but again, this would be subject to final design and traffic management/flows.

“There was not a cost estimate attached to this proposed action.

“Council (is) now aware that this property is on the market for sale, and council may consider its options in this regard.”

The [Naracoorte Community] News reflected on a previous 2004 council survey, petitions and letters showing the community wanted traffic lights at Smith and McRae St, and car parks left intact, not a roundabout and reduced parking.

At the time the community warned reduced parking would result in empty shops along Smith St, and Mr Smart was asked if those community warnings of 20 years ago had come to fruition?

Mr Smart said as part of the Town Centre Rejuvenation Plan engagement process, “traffic lights/stop lights was not a concept or idea that was put before us by any more than one person – and accordingly was not a real consideration moving forward”.

“No such detail or suggestions are included in the Town Centre Rejuvenation Plan,” Mr Smart said.

“I am aware that historically, some of the community would have preferred a different traffic management solution at the Smith St/McRae intersection – but this was not supported by council at that time.

“Ultimately, the control of that intersection and traffic management devices is a decision for the State Government (through DIT), and council can only offer suggestions or recommendations to the State Government.

“While some may suggest shop vacancies are caused by parking, there are also many other issues including condition of some buildings, rental levels, and the challenging economic environment.

“There have been businesses vacate Smith St, and other new businesses start up – so it (empty shops) is most likely a cycle of business opportunity and change.”

Currently the council is seeking feedback from the community regarding its offer to purchase the former ANZ site for $1.2 million, with a further $400,000 spend for various costs, turning 99 Smith St into a car park.

That offer, and a plan to consult the community, were moved at council’s September meeting by Cr Darren Turner and seconded by Cr Trevor Rayner.

Voting against it were Crs Craig McGuire, Monique Crossling and Damien Ross.

Those voting in favour of the offer and community consultation were Crs Turner, Rayner, Cameron Grundy, Peter Ireland, and Crash Downward.

Crs Abigail Goodman and Tom Dennis were absent.

This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.