Time to revitalise the City of Launceston

Time to revitalise the City of LauncestonThe Tasmanian Division of the Property Council of Australia expresses optimism as they look forward to the results of an increased focus on the Launceston City Heart Project during 2015.Executive Director Brian Wightman said that the project was a significant opportunity to revitalise the City of Launceston.”Launceston has long been recognised as the business capital of Tasmania. We are excited by the opportunities for continued development and increased trade presented by this project”, Mr Wightman said.Mr Wightman acknowledged that many northern-based Property Council Members raised the issue of the CBD and in particular the perceived lack of strategic direction with regard to car parking.”Car parking is a topic much talked about in Launceston. Ideas such as free parking are often mooted, however we believe this notion should be turned on its head.It’s not the cost that is the issue, it’s the parking habits and the one hour metres in the CBD”, Mr Wightman said.Mr Wightman suggested that the Launceston City Heart Project should provide strategic leadership including encouraging CBD patrons to utilise multi-story car parking by consolidating the current Council venues.”Why don’t we close off The Avenue to commuter traffic, remove the parking meters, make it easier to walk and ride around the City and ensure that the multi-stories are cheaper for longer periods?”It’s very difficult for a family to achieve their shopping outcomes in an hour, we should encourage them to change their habits and take advantage of a permanently reduced rate in our purpose built Council parking facilities”, Mr Wightman said.Mr Wightman offered that the glaring omission from the Council’s stable of car parking was a lack of development at Bathurst Street, an extremely popular and regularly full car park.”Bathurst Street is accessed by many who work in the CBD together with Launceston College Students. At four dollars per day it’s a bargain, however it’s often full by 10.30am.”Why not consolidate the parking, perhaps offer Willis Street for development, meter Bridge Road during the week creating space for tourists, remove the gravel car park on Park Street and build a multi-story at the Bathurst Street site?” Mr Wightman offered.Mr Wightman believed that increasing the number of patrons in the City was a challenge faced by retailers who needed to work with the Council to stimulate visitation.”I would like to see fine dining restaurants in the Mall and The Avenue, bring people to the city centre for an outstanding Tasmanian experience and encourage them to shop.”We can make our CBD safer and more desirable for patrons by increasing activity from Breakfast time until after late night dining.”Mr Wightman also offered that the City needed to embrace the lessons learned from larger retailers who are anchor tenants in multi-store facilities in the suburbs.”Patrons visit Mowbray and Kings Meadows because they can achieve all of their shopping needs in one hit.”Imagine if we offered this in Launceston’s CBD with cheap long term parking, less traffic making it easier for pedestrians to navigate and a range of retail, hospitality and cultural experiences that create a hive of activity”, Mr Wightman suggested.The property and construction industries employ 16.7 per cent of Tasmania’s workforce, are the state’s largest single contributor to gross state product at 10.9 per cent, and pays over $800 million in property-specific state and local taxes.Media contactBrian Wightman, Executive Director Tasmania 0429 073 773