Indies to benefit from CBD revamp

MELBOURNE: The Victorian capital's characteristic boutiques will form a key part of a drive to lift the city's CBD to world-class retail standards.
Minister for Small Businesses Andre Haermeyer said the Melbourne Retail Strategy 2006-2012 - a joint initiative of the Victorian State Government and the City of Melbourne - would work to "protect the diversity of the CBD".
Speaking at the strategy launch on July 20, Minister Haermeyer - whose portfolio also includes manufacturing, export and financial services - claimed fashion retailers would "help to build up the diversity of the CBD".
"We want independent retailers to be able to sit beside leading fashion retail brands and international concept stores. For that reason the strategy will identify and develop affordable second and third floor retail spaces throughout the city to house Melbourne's innovative design talent," he said.
Underpinned by a retail marketing campaign positioning Melbourne as the ultimate shopping experience, other initiatives in the strategy included the creation of a nationally-recognised Melbourne Shopping Festival by 2009 - specifically aimed at attracting interstate and international visitors. The appointment of "retail ambassadors" to help visitors access out-of-the-way specialty stores would also be given priority, he said.
Broader ranging moves would include the identification of new city laneways for retail development, the improvement of the retail mix in Bourke Street between Swanston and Spring Streets and the introduction of a CBD retail business monitor to benchmark the health of the city centre's retail economy.
In addition, discount schemes for shoppers using public transport would encourage weekend shopping, while baby change facilities, rest spots and parcel minding services would smooth the path for shopping diehards.
Australian Retail Association (ARA) president Joe Briffa described the Melbourne Retail Strategy 2006-2012 as a "living document".
"This will allow the strategy to be 'fine-tuned' and 'enhanced' or potentially changed so as to focus on new or re-emerging and or changing issues from time to time," Briffa said.
Over the coming months the City of Melbourne and the State Government - in consultation with industry stakeholders - would create an action plan designed to set in train the first stages of the strategy, a City of Melbourne spokesperson confirmed.