Braddon United Retail and Traders (BURT) has called on the ACT Government to provide a seat at the table for local business precincts to ensure the needs and interests of government and business are aligned. They say local business have the knowledge and solutions to increase productivity during the coronavirus recovery.
A report based on a survey of 147 Braddon business operators found around 70% have experienced a loss in revenue since March and more than 90% identified parking as the number one priority to help increase business.
The report identified the need for more angle parking, short-term spaces and loading zones, improvements to traffic flow including reductions in speed, the addition of pedestrian crossings, creating a safer space with additional lighting and CCTV, and beautification of the area with works by local street artists, upgraded footpaths and landscaping.
BURT spokesperson Kel Watt said they welcomed the ACT Governmentโs recent funding announcement to upgrade Braddon but said more community consultation would increase the economic return on their investment.
โTheyโve allocated $8.5 million and the works are planned for 2021 so there is enough time to design, consult and get it right,โ Mr Watt said.
โWithout spending any extra money or delaying the works, they can deliver the upgrades and infrastructure that have a direct benefit.
โThe pot plants and things are lovely, but if you canโt get a park, youโre not going to come to Braddon.
โThey say thereโs been consultation, but theyโve just thrown a couple of postcard size surveys at us and said โwhat do you think?โ โ thatโs not consultation, we want a conversation.
โOnly one out of 10 people think theyโve been consulted.โ
The report identifies 55% of Braddon businesses fear closure or the serious threat of closure if another shutdown occurred.
Mr Watt said the owners and employees in the hospitality, retail and beauty sectors were still in need of significant financial support, with the โnecessary restrictionsโ still affecting revenue.
โFailure to get the right policy and programs in place now will see dozens of Braddon businesses wind up and their staff without jobs,โ he said.
โIf theyโre going to spend money, they need to make sure itโs targeted support; it doesnโt need to be one size fits all, it needs to respond to our needs.โ
Canberra Daily contacted the ACT Government for comment but has not received a response.
Braddon shoppers want more car parks
A lunchtime survey of โBraddonitesโ produced a near consensus that the business district is a parking nightmare and costs the local economy critical dollars during coronavirus restrictions.
Anil and Dinesh work in Braddon said they would spend more of their money at local retailers if there were more parking options.
Anil and Dinesh
Anil: โItโs true. There are not enough car parks, I work in Torrens Street and I park at Canberra Raiders, they charge $190 a month but thatโs the only option we have, the streets are full. I think itโs really hard.
Josh and Andrew
โI got a park right out the front,โ Josh said.
โYeah, but heโs super lucky โ itโs not a coincidence,โ Andrew smiled.
โBut it can be difficult, you do need to plan ahead, it can take up to 15 minutes and drive you crazy,โ Josh said.
Eliza gave up her Braddon gym because of a lack of car parking.
โIโd just drive around and around the block looking for a park and then give up and go home.ย Iโve just moved to Turner, so Iโll just join somewhere there.โ
