A grassroots campaign to boost the feel of the Nelson Bay CBD is underway.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Advocacy group Nelson Bay NOW is behind the push with the creation of a committee to encourage business owners and shop owners to do the simple things like paint their shopfronts.
Or, like Essence Espresso (pictured), establish a colourful street garden.
“It’s about taking pride, making our streets look good,” Nelson Bay NOW Civic Pride Committee volunteer Anita Hutchinson said.
“It’s about more than having good looking businesses, it’s about making this area more accommodating of residents and visitors in a welcoming environment.
“We’re already seeing the beginnings of a restaurant strip and every bit helps.”
Related reading:
Nelson Bay NOW was established to lobby all levels of government to invest in the CBD. Foremost on its wishlist was the Yacaaba Street extension and with work underway it looked to other ways the CBD could be improved.
“It’s been brought about by the look and feel of the town. It’s not great,” Nelson Bay NOW secretary Peter Clough said.
“With a little effort we can start to change that. Maybe it’s a shop front that doesn’t look so tidy, a street bench in need of some paint or the want for a hand drier in the men’s toilets. We want people to go away with a good impression.”
Committee members like Marcella Hill, a restaurateur at Sienna’s, said the potential was huge.
“We’ve been in discussions for a couple of months now but in the past few weeks it’s really progressed,” she said.
“We need to do something.”
Property owner Bill Joncevski said a little hard work was bound to pay-off.
“The main thing is that everyone who has an interest in the CBD needs to roll up their sleeves,” he said.
Mr Clough said therein lie the challenge.
“The challenge is getting both businesses and property owners to take more pride,” he said.
“And it’s getting the real estate agents who are property managers to help as well, getting the tenants to share that sense of pride.”