Craig Hanford has some clear ideas of work ahead of the Whanganui Employers' Chamber of Commerce. Photo/Bevan Conley
Craig Hanford has some clear idea of the challenges facing the Whanganui Employers' Chamber of Commerce.
He recently took the reins as president of the chamber and told the Chronicle four key areas included better use and access to ultra-fast broadband, earthquake-proofing buildings, improving access to the district council, and job creation.
The 42-year-old general manager of the Mediaworks radio network in Wanganui sees his role as the facilitator for the chamber and ensuring the lines of communication between it and other local organisations remained open.
And it is probably his role in media management that will help him in that area.
Mr Hanford said the arrival of ultra-fast broadband was a fantastic opportunity for the city "but bugger all people are using it".
He said part of the problem was that businesses trying to link with it faced very high costs and then there were delays making that link to the network.
"There needs to be a better retail interaction to make this work and smooth the way. Maybe it's a teething issue but once everyone's on board it's going to be a major asset for Wanganui," he said. Earthquake-proofing buildings was a "major" for Wanganui. "Businesses are facing huge hikes in insurances as a result and building owners are facing huge bills as well. So it's how we navigate our way through that and keep the city the way it is but also making it safe for people."
The third issue was working with the Wanganui District Council.
"I've heard instances of people wanting to do things, go to council and get everyone in the room and talk about building compliances, liquor licensing or whatever. In half an hour the job's done, It's brilliant.
"Then there are other episodes when the exact opposite occurs. It seems that if you get the right person in the right system then it's great but strike the wrong person and it can be a nightmare."
Mr Hanford flagged the idea of council having an "applicant's advocate" to help them through the processes they meet at council.
"Council shouldn't be there to put road blocks in place. It should be the organisation that shifts road blocks," he said.
He believed the "wish list" the chamber put together before the local body elections last October summed up council's role best: "Council should be rolling out the red carpet not the red tape".
The fourth driver was job creation. He said Wanganui can offer a wonderful lifestyle and home affordability but it needed jobs to complete the equation.
Mr Hanford said to that end the chamber was working with the Ministry of Social Development to find jobs, and working with the council in programmes aimed at getting young people into the workforce.
"There are 3950 businesses in Wanganui, from little micro businesses to major employers. If 10 per cent of them took on an extra person then unemployment in Wanganui would disappear."
He said the wastewater scheme was another issue that needed to be handled with tact and diplomacy.
"Some of those wet industries at Castlecliff could up stakes and leave if they are hit too hard. Some of them have multi locations and they can take their facilities away from Wanganui fairly easily. We need to work with them to make sure they stay."
Mr Hanford said while residential rates averaged about $2000, businesses were being rated at $8000 "so it's not like any business gets a free ride in Wanganui".
"Certainly those wet industries need to contribute but there needs to be some moderation in what's expected or demanded of them. Going in with a heavy stick is never going to work," he said.
He has been living and working in the River City for the past three years and said he loved the place.
"When the job came up I had all the usual preconceptions about the city that most people who haven't spent any time here do. I spent two days here and soon found it's a great place with a great lifestyle."
But he said while Wanganui was blessed with passionate people they needed to breakdown a silo mentality.
"It's not just in business but in a number of community organisations. We end up with a variety of groups working individually but really with the same end in mind.
"Imagine the strength they could develop if they all worked together."