1st September 2004

Town Centre Co-Ordinators Making A Difference

In May Manukau City Council appointed two town centre co-ordinators as part of the Manukau Town Centre Strategy to enhance and revitalise our town centres, which form an integral part of the life and fabric of the city.

Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis says, "Our new town centre co-ordinators, Tracy Tomlinson and Campbell Butcher, are working with business associations and town centre organisations on the many issues they face and services they require. These can be diverse as graffiti problems, business development, resource consent information or environmental services. Council can help, but our business associations and groups wanting to establish an association need to know how to source the services so they can help their retailers and assist their centres to run more effectively.

"This aligns with the philosophy behind the Regional Growth Strategy along with our strategic document 'Tomorrow's Manukau' which champions a proud, prosperous, progressive future for our city. Town centres form the heart of any city and we are striving to establish places which are clean, safe and smart, with a character representative of their local community."

Town centre co-ordinator Tracy Tomlinson says, "I am enjoying the opportunity to work with local business associations and town centres to improve their conditions. They contribute much to the economic development of the city and as such need to be nurtured.

"It is satisfying to work at a grass roots level helping people solve problems on a day to day basis."

Fellow co-ordinator Campbell Butcher echoes Tracy's comments. He is pleased they can have such a positive influence on such things as the establishment of much-needed town centre business organisations. He says, "Our skills can help support these associations when working on business planning processes and developing networks with other associations.

"My role also extends to working with business associations operating in the large industrial areas of Manukau, ensuring our city remains a desirable place to conduct business and is attractive to prospective new companies."

ENDS

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