As community leaders admit empty shops and low consumer confidence is an issue in many areas of WA, one council is looking into a different approach.
The City of Fremantle is currently investigating the possibility of charging landowners higher rates if city centre properties remain vacant.
The approved motion was proposed by councillor Rachel Pemberton who requested the chief executive officer investigate the council’s ability to apply a differential rate in the 2019/20 financial year on commercial properties that were vacant for more than 12 months.
Councillor Pemberton said the aim was to encourage landowners to lower their rents to attract more tenants.
“Empty shops can have a domino effect, hurting the other businesses around them,” she said.
“Our community has been asking that the council does something to reduce rents, but our ability to influence rents is limited.
“This initiative is targeting landlords who are holding out for top dollar rents that are no longer feasible in today’s market.
“This is putting landlords on notice to renegotiate with existing or prospective tenants, consider pop-ups or initiate redevelopment over the next 12 months.”
Busselton Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Jo Richards previously told the Mail one of her biggest concerns was activating Busselton’s CBD.
“We are concerned by the empty shops, retailers are struggling, we are looking at how we find a solution to this problem and address it with a holistic approach,” she said.
“The foreshore is pumping but it is not translating to the CBD. If we don’t work to bring in people, retailers can’t open, won’t open, can’t pay rent and end up closing.”
City of Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan had little to say on the idea. “I don’t believe there would be any appetite for this proposal in Bunbury,” he said.
Councillor Brendan Kelly said he doubted it would be possible to charge landowners higher rates and likely legal action could make it a burden on ratepayers. He said CBD landowners should be occasionally putting the greater good to help the community before their own bank balance.
After feedback received from the community, the Busselton Dunsborough Mail has launched a series to look at the problems and possible solutions to minimise vacant spaces in the CBD.
Have your say: Do you agree with the approach being investigated by Fremantle? Email editorial.bdmail@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
