Mafeking makeover squashed
The news is not good. Yesterday I enquired as to the progress of the Alpine council’s proposed (and long overdue) makeover of Mafeking Square – i.e. the conversion of the highly dysfunctional and wasted space around the clock tower in the centre of town into a vibrant and more usable public area that would act as a tourist drawcard and revitalise trade in Ireland Street – only to be told that it’s not going ahead anytime soon. Why? Well, there are a lot of excuses being made but, in my opinion, the much-needed project was squashed by a very small group of self-interested traders who believed the removal of the roundabout would be detrimental to their businesses, which is the biggest load of bollocks I’ve ever heard. Sadly this group includes a councillor (Narda Cain), who also owns a shop in Ireland Street. The lack of foresight and care for the greater good is astounding but hardly surprising. I don’t want to say anymore about it at this stage – I’m still too angry!
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Promoting 'Beautiful Bright'.
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Ray, you need to offer an alternative that will get the community excited. What is your preference?
It’s been offered and documented for 10 years, Greg, in a glossy report called the Bright Futures Project. But it’s not something that the community per se would get excited about one way or the other – they’re ambivalent towards it. These type of innovative and progressive projects require our leaders to be decisive and have vision – and that’s the problem here.
Yes Vision. That’s a word that doesn’t get used around the traps that much. I think it’s more the fact that people would also see it as a benefit to the pub. The owner is not the most popular person going around however in he’s defense he’s not really pushing for this I don’t believe however the ol rumor mill would have u think otherwise.
It is a dangerous game diverting traffic though Ray. Maybe council should set up temporary barriers to mimmick the traffic effect the round about change would gave to put the traders minds at ease? Or would one week be too much to take?
So what will take centre piece now for 150 year celebrations? Another parade perhaps? A cycling event put on at the same time as hot rods and throw in a parade to show how diverse we are in thinking yet silly in planning. Whoops I forgot the shire wouldn’t be Otha ing anything so it wouldn’t be a screw up. Still waiting on that Marquee they said they’d purchase for the rodders
*organizing. Apologies for any grammatical errors. Predictive can be deconstructive. Oh and by the way please check out how many events in the shire are actually organized by them? This where they justify their increase (commercial rate)
The Mafeking redevelopment would not benefit the Alpine Hotel, John. It would be separated from their area and is needed because, at the moment, there is no public seating/gathering area in the town centre apart from the pub’s concourse – and who wants to go there except pub patrons?
There’s no diversion of traffic either. It simply means you won’t be able to turn right into Burkre Street – who cares? The idea is to create a shady & attractive public plaza that will encourage people into the town centre. It has to be an all round winner. The people objecting to it are those who feel they’ll lose car parking outside their shops, which is ridiculous. They need shoppers & pedestrians more than half a dozen car park spaces.
Would the alterations to the “square” attract more people to visit the top part of town? I would presume it would, given there is no real public seating areas anywhere, apart from visitng the parks. For instance, people could purchase lunch and then sit in the new public areas.
I also believe, some shop owners are complaining about the lack of people shopping at the top part of town, so this development, to me, would encourage people to shop and stay in that part of the strip.
No coffee shops with outdoor seating?
Yes, there are a few, Rox, but this is about creating a free public space.
Andrew, the crazy part is that the few retailers (including Cr Narda Cain) who are objecting would actually benefit from it.