Grey district councillors shocked at state of CBD during Greymouth town walk

Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn said it was a shock to some councillors to see how the CBD had regressed, despite the council's current maintenance. Photo / Wikimedia Commons

By Brendon McMahon

Grey district councillors want to see a plan with targets to ensure regular maintenance of the town assets after they were shocked at the state of parts of the central business district during a town walk on Monday.

It came after Councillor Tania Gibson pushed the issue at the August council meeting, tabling photos of shabby street furniture and algae-covered pavements and buildings throughout the CBD.

Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn and Gibson said the walk-through had really highlighted how much of the area had regressed, despite the current maintenance.

Gibson said it was a shock to some, despite the council having a contract for street cleaning.

A working group has been set up to address the tidy up with urgency.

"It shouldn't have been left as long as it has. This town needs a good shake-up and a good tidy-up," she said.

"At the moment it's just expected to be done, but it actually needs to be pinpointed."

Ideally, the town centre could have "a big clean up" to get things rolling through a community-driven initiative in conjunction with the Greymouth Business and Promotions Association, individual retailers and building owners, taking into account the health and safety logistics.

"I'd like to get down there with a waterblaster myself ... there are a lot of people like the BPA that want to get involved."

The councillors' walk also highlighted the empty or semi-derelict buildings around the CBD and the need to engage with their owners.

Gibson said it was important to distinguish those property owners from many retailers in the CBD who did not necessarily own the buildings, but had well presented and clean shop fronts.

"I don't think we can blame the shop owners. There's a lot of empty buildings around town that need sorting out."

The mayor said the Albert Mall was a particular focus of complaints.

"We were informed by (council) staff who came with us that the Albert Mall had recently been waterblasted, but there were concerns by councillors we've been let down by the contract - because it's a hit and miss," Kokshoorn said.

The chief executive had been asked to report back on how well the maintenance contracts were monitored, "because this seems to have fallen through the cracks".

Councillors also wanted a report on the terms of the current contract around street furniture and the maintenance of other amenities.

Business and Promotions Association chairwoman Lynda Le Brun deferred comment until after the group meets on Monday.

- Greymouth Star