Article: Tools To Task
Burning Issues
What are the issues facing our district and our community and what can, or is being done to address those issues.
We want to focus on the positives, what has been done that is working well and making a difference.
And conversely what could be done better? We want to ensure the issues stay alive, that we as a community and those who serve our community are aware of what is happening around us.
To this end, we are going to pose a question each month and get members of the community to make comment.
This month we posed a question to some of our prominent businessmen.
“What has been the greatest accomplishments to business in your area over the last year?”
Here is what they had to say:
Steve Bowling - Director - Steve Bowling Contracting
I believe business survival in the current climate is an accomplishment in itself. Anyone who thinks it is easy to run a business in such times is wrong – it’s tough going. It is good to see that the message about keeping business local is getting through at both Local and National Government levels, however slowly. It’s getting through to the private sector as well. There seems to be more awareness that local businesses are giving back to local organisations and the community.
Also on a positive note the Licensed Builder Practitioner scheme is going ahead which will affect the value of projects.
Going forward the economy is looking better. The commercial building happening in the area is an indication that things are looking better. It appears people are sick of ‘sitting on their hands’; we are seeing enquiries coming in from people wanting to build or renovate who, having waited to see what will happen over the last few years, are ready to move forward with their projects. With interest rates low it is a good time to move before the Christchurch rebuild pulls resources and materials out of the area that could push prices up.
Barry Trass - Managing Director - Homeworld Design & Build
From my point of view it is the new Council and their focus on economic development. They have realised they have a role to play in the economic development of the area and are taking it seriously being very pro-active in that regard. The appointment of an Economic Development Officer to focus on encouraging local business and new businesses in the area is a very positive step. It is good to see both District and Regional councils working more effectively together. Communication is greatly improved and they both have the same focus on economic development which is very good given that the north has the highest unemployment figures in the country.
Council working with local businesses and asking for input from them is a great step forward. The new Mayor is doing a good job. His door is always open to local business and he welcomes their input of ideas and suggestions on how things can be done better. In fact the whole culture of the Council is changing for the better; they are all more proactive and have an attitude of ‘how can I help’ rather than ‘how can we stop you’. It’s a really good team with the key management staff sharing the same focus on how we can develop the area.
I think the Council is very brave and forward thinking in promoting the Hundertwasser Museum project. It is going to be a great asset to the city and will attract tourism to the area and, I believe, the whole city will grow from that point. We need an iconic attraction like that.
Rob Littlejohn - Director - Rob Littlejohn Builders
The greatest accomplishment for business in our area for the last year has been the promotion of Whangarei as I have seen on billboards and heard on radio along with the hosting of the World Cup Rugby games. I would like to see this taken to a higher level in promoting all the exciting activities there are to do and see in our area and show people why we live here. We also need to lobby for events as the World Cup had our town buzzing and I’m sure we can do the same for the upcoming cricket match between Zimbabwe and New Zealand. These events are a front runner in the promotion of our area and provide top level entertainment for the people who live here. Promoting our town and attracting people to live here and encouraging tourists to visit will provide growth and tourist dollars to expand our services and provide better amenities for us all. Everybody in the community can contribute by talking positively about the area they live in and highlighting the places and things to do we have.
