A shop window in Muswellbrook’s main street is set to be filled in coming months; however the organisation’s suitability to the planned revitalisation of the Central Business District (CBD) by the Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry is questionable.
The Department of Corrective Services Probation and Parole office is relocating to a premises in the centre of the CBD.
The State Government business is currently located at the northern end of Bridge Street, but is due to move in by April.
A Department of Corrective Services spokesperson said the main reason for the move was the larger size of the new premises.
He said the building, which he could not give the exact location of, would be fitted out next month and the organisation hoped to be in the building before Easter.
The spokesperson said there were no sensitivities about it, it was just a bigger premise and he believed it was a significant distance from any schools.
Probation and parole officers supervise offenders who have been placed on community-based orders by the courts and offenders released on parole from prison.
Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Mike Kelly said the possible occupation of a main street shop by a Government Department could be a mixed blessing for our CBD.
“Certainly it is better to have premises occupied, maintained and employing people rather than vacant,” Mr Kelly said.
“However, the Chambers focus for revitalisation of the CBD is along the lines recommended in the Township Marketing Plan commissioned late last year as part of the CBD Strategic Plan jointly developed by the Chamber and the Council.”
“Our aim is to increase commercial and social activity in the CBD by increasing the number of eateries, browsing shops and main stream retail businesses.
“A Government office in the heart of the CBD is not a high priority for the Chamber.
“I can understand that the landlord needs a tenant and no doubt the Government would be an excellent and reliable tenant. However, I don’t understand why they need a high profile shopfront position.
“I would have thought they would know their clients well and would not be looking for ‘passing trade’.”
Mr Kelly said there have been many improvements in the CBD during 2009 with major facelifts at the Art Gallery, Post Office and Central Arcade.
“We have a new café, several new retailers and many premises have improved shopfront cleaning, maintenance and signage.
“With major footpath upgrades planned by the Council for the second quarter this year, the eastern side of Bridge Street between Market Street and Brook Street will be much more attractive and user friendly.
“Despite the momentum of the CBD revitalisation, it is apparent that the Chamber will have to work harder to bring all landlords, tenants and managing agents to the same vision for our CBD which is held by the Chamber on behalf of a broad cross section of Muswellbrook businesses and the community at large,” he said.
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