Traders harbour concerns for new arbour structures
TRADERS in Little Malop St affected by recent revitalisation works fear the finished product may also have a negative impact.
A number of large steel arbour structures that will soon be covered in vines were erected as part of City of Greater Geelong’s Laneways Project.
But shop and venue owners fear the foliage will cover their signage, and in some cases, obstruct access.
Gorge Camorra, of the 18th Amendment Bar, was surprised to discover a pole at his door.
“You’re going to have all these vines growing down — if you walk on the other side you’re not going to be able to see the signage,” he said.
“It looks good on paper but they have put it up and it’s a bit of a shambles.”
Steven Nichols, of the Workers Club, has the same concern.
“For us it has been a case of is there any logic to what is going on?” he said.
“We were so positive about it in the beginning. There is no other way to say it other than we are disappointed.”
Mr Nichols said many traders had lost tens of thousands of dollars during construction and it was concerning that the finished product could add to their losses. “Everybody has been harmed so badly from the works and the way they have played out,” he said.
The City’s acting director of investment and attraction, Tim Ellis, said the arbour structures were part of the original design and planting trees at ground level wasn’t possible due to underground services.
“We don’t want to do anything that will negatively impact on traders. Quite the contrary, this work in the laneways is being done to attract more people,” he said.
“At the moment the arbours do not look that attractive. But once finished, they will have uplighting and downlighting which will increase the safety and amenity of the precinct.”
Mr Ellis said adjustments to the finish of the project had already been made following trader feedback.
“Once the arbours are in place we can look at whether additional signage is necessary and will consider incorporating signage on the arbour.”