A Vibrant CBD essential for Hamilton’s future

City Council candidate Jason Cargo believes that greater consultation with the development community and Hamilton Central groups is a key aspect of revitalising Hamilton’s city centre. Cargo is a member of the only group ticket in this year’s council elections, the Rates Control Team.

“In recent years our Council has got offside with the a number of property developers, with variations, development levies and parking becoming a major barriers to future developments by the private sector,’ says Cargo. “Revision to the District Plan is long overdue and the time is now right to address these issues through consultation and collaboration with people and organisations ready to help make Hamilton a better place.”

Jason Cargo is a Registered Professional Surveyor and has an extensive background in city development. He is also on the Property Council Waikato Branch Executive. He lead the engineering consultancy team for the Hamilton City Council's Smart Subdivision in Rotokauri and knows the difficulties of such developments.

As a member of the Rates Control Team led by experienced councilor Roger Hennebry, Cargo has been assigned the City Development portfolio amongst a group which aims to succeed in having all eleven of their candidates elected to Council. “We are a strong and diverse team,” says Cargo, “Each of us brings specific skills and knowledge to the table.”

Cargo is particularly focused on sustainable city growth and establishing Hamilton’s CBD as a vibrant place to live, work and play. Recent retail developments have created great opportunities in locations such as Chartwell and The Base, resulting in a steady flow of stores, and the people that shop in them, out of the city centre. This also includes numerous home offices in residential areas that have leaked. Cargo wants to see greater levels of discussion about the wide range of possibilities for future developments in the heart of Hamilton. “We have seen the present councilors deciding to spend millions of ratepayer dollars in the run up to a council election,” he says. “This issue is not so much about spending money but having the right incentives to develop properties and having advice from groups that understand the development drivers.”

Cargo believes that issues such as these are not unique to Hamilton, but there is a need for an independent group that brings together the key players in the development sector. The city needs all its players of Hamilton Central, Chamber of Commerce, Property Council, owners, tenants and ratepayers to all provide input into how we are to get people back into the city. “This will assist Council to create incentives to bring people back to the city – that’s what makes for safer communities,” says Cargo.

“We should all be very proud of developments such as those involving Wintec, Lido cinema, Velo Cycles, proposed Centreplace/Downtown Plaza and others. But at the same time we need to ask questions about why wonderful assets such as the Waipa Delta can’t find the right conditions to operate successfully our in our city.” If we want to grow sustainably and protect the character in neighbouring suburbs we need to work, live and play in the CBD.

With a primary campaign pledge of maintaining rates at their present levels it is clear that the Rates Control Team will have a challenging time ahead. But through a commitment to consultation with the community and open-door decision-making in Council, the future looks bright for this excited team of newcomers.

ENDS

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