Brewer leaves calling for town centre strategy

Media release

Newmarket Business Association

Wednesday, 8 September 2010

Brewer leaves calling for Auckland town centre strategy

“It remains completely unclear what governing body will drive Auckland’s town centres and even if there’ll be a single strategy to ensure the health and wealth of the region’s 40 town centres,” says Cameron Brewer, departing chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.

“Here we are just weeks until Auckland’s massive municipal amalgamation, and our town centres don’t have a clue as to where the power will lie. It’s not good enough when you consider town centres are a major contributor to Auckland’s GDP, are a big employer, and help define what make’s the region’s many pockets so unique - economically, culturally and socially.

“Staggeringly, it remains totally unclear which part of the new council structure is going to be driving stronger town centres for Auckland. Will it be the local boards, the Auckland Council itself, or the TEED (Tourism, Events & Economic Development) Council-Controlled Organisation? Your guess is as good as mine.

“Furthermore, are we going to have one over-arching strategy for the ongoing development of our town centres? No one really knows. However we will desperately need a single strategy, particularly given the economic environment and when you consider from 1 November we’ll all be under one roof."

Mr Brewer says until the dust settles the many business associations around the region will need to step up and take the lead for their respective business areas.

“Town centres each have their own personalities which will need to be cultivated under the new council. We don’t want one giant centralised council trying to make all the town centres look and feel the same.

“Local boards need to be able to stamp their mark firmly on each town centre. It would be terrible if every town centre got the same street furniture, paving stones, gardens and light poles for example. Individuality must not only be maintained, but further encouraged.”

“I want to see Auckland’s town centres really build on their strengths and not try to be everything to everyone. Newmarket has really zeroed in being ‘The Fashion Capital of New Zealand’ and it has gained real traction.”

Mr Brewer, who leaves Newmarket this week after more than five years as its chief executive, says business associations need to be bold otherwise their ratepayer members just assume they’re not doing anything.

“Highlights for me include successfully lobbying to secure a major Broadway upgrade, installing a state-of-the-art CCTV camera network, eradicating graffiti, funding major pieces of public art, overseeing some wonderful side-street upgrades, pushing for a new Newmarket railway station, opening the redeveloped Lumsden Green, extending the business association boundary, getting a ‘Newmarket’ signpost on SH1, publishing the award-winning Newmarket history book, and keeping the annual ANZAC Day parade and service going when the local RSA left town.

“The past five years have been a lot of work but very rewarding. The members, the board, my colleagues Lea Worth, Di Goldsworthy and Bernadine Paterson, and every Newmarket supporter have really got in behind the association’s vision to make a real difference. I’m forever grateful for the memories, the friends, the experience and opportunities this role has given me.

“The Newmarket Business Association is the best business association in the country and it has a very bright future. I wish it every success as it takes the next step up.

“With the ‘super city’ pending and the economy puffing, now is the time for every Auckland business association and town centre to step up and take the lead,” says Cameron Brewer.

Ends