Majority support plan for CBD redevelopment
Invercargill’s H&J Smith department store has expressed real concerns about the ‘‘inevitable adverse effects’’ the proposed CBD redevelopment will have on its business during the lengthy demolition and construction phase.
HWCP Management Limited has lodged a resource consent application to demolish 30 buildings in the Invercargill CBD and build a massive mall on the site.
The redevelopment, if given the go-ahead, will include a range of food and dining outlets and outdoor dining spaces, a variety of retail outlets, boutique shops, a large anchor retailer, office space, apartments, a medical centre, civic facilities and a multi-level carpark.
The first stage of the application is to demolish 30 buildings in the Esk, Dee, Tay and Kelvin street block during two years, while construction work is expected to take up to three years.
A total of 43 public submissions have been lodged with the Invercargill City Council – 25 in support, 10 in opposition and eight neutral.
The H&J Smith submission says it wants the city council to put the application on hold so affected parties can be consulted and measures proposed to avoid adverse effects.
Though H&Js had previously given general support for the CBD redevelopment, it had real concerns about the application, its submission says.
The department store is in close proximity to part of the CBD block that will be demolished and rebuilt. It says the applicant has failed to recognise the likely impact the project will have on H&J’s and others in the CBD.
Its concerns were highlighted by uncertainty over how long the redevelopment would take, while no details had been given as to the majority of tenancies.
The uncertainty heightened concerns that the application for consent was already leading to vacancies in the CBD which in turn impacted on trading for those that remained.
Customers would avoid the wider CBD during demolition and construction which would likely result in significant measures having to be taken to re-entice those customers back, the submission says.
H&Js also expresses disappointment the applicant was not connecting the proposed development with its neighbours through covered elevated walkways crossing Kelvin and Esk streets.
‘‘This would appear to be an opportunity lost especially as this would enhance the experience of the visitors to the CBD.’’
The Southland Chamber of Commerce submission strongly supports the application.
The project is identified as a key priority in the Southland Regional Development strategy which has a goal of having 10,000 more people living in Southland by 2025.
The project would deliver ‘‘essential urban amenities’’ to attract people to Southland, it would re-invigorate the construction sector and provide growth and resilience for Invercargill retailers, the chamber says.
However, during demolition and rebuild it was vital the council and developers regularly consulted with the chamber and business community, especially those on the north side of Esk St, to ensure minimum disruption to their businesses.
The Heritage New Zealand submission says it supports the retention of four building facades in the block, but the proposal would still have adverse effects through the loss of built heritage and archaeology within the block.
The submission of the Neighbouring Retailers Group – a group of retailers operating near the site of the proposed redevelopment – says they support the proposal in part but have concerns about the effects on the environment and on businesses in the CBD during demolition and construction. A date has not yet been confirmed for the hearing.
‘‘This would appear to be an opportunity lost especially as this would enhance the experience of the visitors to the CBD.’’ H&J’s submission