 Barwon Heads Traders
& Tourism Assoc. Inc.
P.O. Box 1 Barwon Heads vic 3227
Email: traders@barwonheads.net
Contacts: Richard Barwon Heads Post Office 52542319
Bernard Barwon Heads Pharmacy 52542312
Meetings Held First Tuesday of the month at the Senior Citizens Centre in Clifford Pd. at 6.00pm.
Membership $40.00 Per Financial Year Listings on this web site available at no cost to association members | The Barwon Heads Traders & Tourism Association is a group of business people endeavouring to promote business and tourism in Barwon Heads. It is formally structured with office bearers and meets monthly.
There are thoughts to redefine the direction of the group to make it more appropriate for the times. These actions will be driven by the membership.
The objectives of the group are
1. to represent Barwon Heads businesspeople with government bodies, local authorities and regulatory bodies.
2. to promote Barwon Heads as a destination for tourists
3. to promote Barwon Heads businesses within the local community PRESIDENTS REPORT – 2007 I must be getting old because the last 12 months has just flown by. A very busy summer has come and gone, new businesses have opened and with recent good rains I would have to conclude it hasn’t been too bad a year.
You just have to walk down the main street to see that the much awaited streetscape project has begun. It has been a long process and many people have worked hard to bring it all together. Despite all the mess and at times the problems for our customers it is moving along and looking good. The Council has to their credit been very good in providing up to date work schedules along the way. By all reports it will be finished mid October. As we have discussed we plan to seek assistance from Council for an official opening and hope businesses will get involved in the promotion.
The streetscape was always going to be our main concern but there were other issues that have occupied us, in particular the Bridge. As you know the Panel met last year and the decision not to use the Geelong Road corridor was announced earlier this year. This was one of those issues that I think tests any organization. It was good to see that we could have a healthy debate and yes there were differences and yet we can still work together. Unfortunately we still do not know what the final outcome is - will we get just one larger bridge or possibly have two. There are other issues such as loss of parking and possible traffic lights to concerns of having large trucks etc back in town, let alone the effects during construction. We have to make sure these issues are looked into as the project develops because if done wrongly it will be not just hard us as business operators. Vic Roads has told us they hope to have plans out for public comment by the end of the year. So for now we wait and see but we definitely need to watch this one.
The Shuttle Bus was once again very popular but due to the drop in sponsorship is very likely not run this summer. Over the last 3 years the number of businesses involved has halved and many still involved have reduced their donation. The funds Council provided 3 years ago have been used and discussions with Council in the hope they would take the bus over have gotten nowhere. One last hope lies with Barwon Coast becoming more involved but its early days yet. I find it worrying that despite the obvious benefits for locals and visitors that we cannot keep the bus running.
Planning issues have always been tricky topics of discussion for this Association because while we want to foster business we don’t want it ruined by over development. Often I have, in a personal capacity, objected to developments especially where parking was to be waived. For many of us here tonight parking would be second only to the weather as a constant topic of discussion with our customers. Recent decisions in the Flinders Parade development and Beachnik extension have seen attempts to have parking recognised as a significant problem fail. We must make Council realise this cannot continue like this.
Looking to the year ahead our next big challenge is the updated Barwon Heads Structure Plan. I know the most topical issue is the town boundary and while important this should not distract us from the many other issues Barwon Heads faces. Council has announced that the Plan will be available on August 20th and that a public information session is being held on Saturday September 20th. I know there was a very heated discussion on this at the recent BH Association’s meeting. To me until we see all the information it would be premature for us to discuss it tonight, besides we have until mid October to respond. As our next general meeting is on September 4th I suggest we make the Structure Plan the main item on the agenda.
(To kick-start the discussion I have made a list of issues we may wish to discuss at the next meeting.)
At this point I would have to register my disappointment with Council for the lack of follow up on recommendations in the Urban Design Framework. Much was made of the community involvement but besides the streetscape little else has occurred despite constant reminders.
Before closing I would like to thank all on the executive and those good solid members who make the effort to turn up each month. I must admit I am disappointed that so many do not make the effort and leave the work to a small handful.
Anyway as I said it’s been a good year and lets all hope that the new streetscape is finished on time and will be a winner for us all.
Bernard Napthine
President
6/8/07
Extract from minutes of September meeting
. Bellarine Peninsula Tourism – asking for Nominations for the Comity – As Tony is usually our representative on this comity, but is away at the moment, Bernard will contact him to ask if he wishes to stand again.
. Letter from Peter Jefferys re public phone possible removal – Bernard to reply on behalf of Traders – in favour of retaining the phone.
. Reply from Councillor McMullin to Brenard’s letter requesting the time frame for stage 2 of the Street Scape. No funding available in the Budget – will relist for next Budget. Norm suggested footpath between Colite St. and Tonik is in a bad state and should be replaced for safety reasons. Bernard to write to Council with this request.
Power relocation: will take 4 to 6 hours power cuts. Bernard suggested a Sunday from 3pm as the least disruptive time to businesses in Hitchcock Ave.
Bernard has spoken to Peter Jefferys who said Power Corp. has caused delays and work may be required to continue through Sept. School Holidays to allow the Street Scape to be finished by Melbourne Cup Day. Road remake will be 2 weeks of disruption. Bernard meeting with Peter Jefferys on Friday – will report back.
. Barwon Coast – Bob Jordon will attempt to organise Shuttle Bus service and Barwon Coast will donate $5000 to running costs. Bernard to get quote for bus hire.
. 75th Birthday Great Ocean Road – Plaque to be erected at the Bridge recognising Barwon Heads as the start of Great Ocean Road.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
Structure Plan – we have until 15/10 to make comments and recommendations.
Norm moved the Executive to choose a date for a “Special Meeting” on The Structure Plan. Bernard to compile a list of points of interest relevant to the Traders to be discussed at this meeting. Second: Bernard
David announced that “Round The Heads Trail” have produced a “draught” in disk form for the community to look at. He moved that the Traders write a “Letter of Support” for the Trail to both McMullin and Crutchfeild. He said their support was vital in raising funds for the Trail. After much discussion Bernard was asked to e mail both Politicians supporting the Trail “IN PRINCIPAL”. Paul Fox stressed that we should make clear the support for the Trail was to be seen as a separate issue and in no way endorsing the Structure Plan.
Moved: David, seconded : Tehree – carried
Richard advised that he had the Council alter the Parking Signs for the Mail Zone to save confusion.
He advised Council are looking at the traffic problems in Clifford Parade – may make one way.
The Post Office is trying to get Passport Interviews, but may be considered too close to OG. “In principle” support was given by Traders.
Bernard spoke about “waved parking” issues –
Norm moved – Bernard to organise a ‘Parking Study” with any cost being met by BHT. Second: David – carried
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