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Chamber head airs frustration

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The chair of a Waikato chamber of commerce has taken a swipe at a district council while listing the issues his board has faced over the last year. Chris Gardner reports.

Shane Walsh

It’s been a difficult year for Te Awamutu Business Chamber.

Chief executive Shane Walsh told members of the year’s challenges at the organisation’s annual general meeting.

Walsh shared his frustration at Waipā District Council officers not supporting the chamber’s proposal to turn the Holmes Garage building in the town into a community event space with a covered walkway that links Selwyn Park with the central business district.

“We presented this idea to Te Awamutu/Kihikihi Community Board who have enthusiastically endorsed it,” Walsh said.

“It has been presented to Waipā District Council who are now considering for inclusion into their long-term plan but unfortunately officers are not supporting the concept which is making it difficult. We shall continue to push for Holmes Garage projects inclusion in the Long-Term Plan.”

Holmes Garage

The chamber also failed to get enough business owners to agree to pay a modest rate increase to create a $50,000 Business Improvement District fund.

“If it was successful, the rates collected would have been spent for the benefit of the retailers and building owners,” Walsh said. “Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful as the percentage of commercial business owners who supported the rate did not meet the required threshold.”

The chamber has canned plans for a third Black Friday Blowout event next month after the council cut the community funding grant. The event involved closing the main street and inviting families to enjoy rides, music, discounts at stores and food.

“Unfortunately, Waipā District Council cut the community funding grant, and we were not confident we could get funds ourselves,” Walsh said.

The chamber has continued its involvement with the Destination Te Awamutu board. Walsh is chair.

“We believe their success in attracting visitors to Te Awamutu and ensuring visitors have a good experience is important for Te Awamutu businesses,” Walsh said.

“During the year Waipa District Council announced that they would stop the funding for this organisation. This was done without communication and the ability for the organisation to present a counter proposal. As a result, we had to make two staff redundant and one resigned pre redundancy,” he added.

“The community has made it clear that they wanted the Visitors Information Centre to remain open. The only way possible is to have one part time manager and a team of volunteers and find ways to increase income. We have started this process recently employing a community-minded manager, Raewyn Anderson, and have approximately one year to find a solution before our residual funds run out.”

Walsh said the chamber had also been more involved in member advocacy.

“Our relationship with the Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board and Waipā District Council is important and we are keeping an eye on their activities,” he said.

“Advocacy is not as visible to members like our events but a very important part of the chamber’s portfolio. Advocacy is time consuming but very important.”

The chamber is partnering with Zion People church in Te Awamutu to continue a wooden Christmas tree project started last year.

Te Awamutu Menz Shed made wooden trees, the Department of Corrections undercoated them, about 15 schools decorated them, retailers displayed them, and pupils visited town to find their trees.

“Their involvement means we can deliver the event at no cost to the chamber and hopefully secure a long-term future for the project and ongoing benefit to the community.

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Chris Gardner is a freelance communications professional.