The incoming BVCC executive committee, from left, Blaz Robar, Paul Russell, Catherine Charles, Emil Sawiris, Megan Inglese-Hunbert, Harry Hutchinson, Bob Dip, Maria Taylor and Marylyn Gilberthorpe. 85476
By Lilly O’Gorman
CALLS for new blood went largely unanswered at the Berwick Village Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting last week.
Harry Hutchinson was re-elected as president at the meeting at Eighty One Restaurant and Bar on Wednesday night.
In his president’s report, Mr Hutchinson said that the next 16 months would be the “most important times” for Berwick businesses.
“Normally the president’s report is focused on the past and talks about the previous year, but I have decided to do something different seeing as this is my fourth time,” he said.
Clyde Road duplication works, the Fountain Gate shopping centre expansion, and the planned development for Lyall Road are all issues the chamber would face in the coming year, he said.
“Another thing over the next couple of months is the effect of the global financial crisis, and it’s not only affecting Berwick,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“When was the last time we have seen three vacancies in High Street? There is also significant office space up for rent.”
He called on landlords to lower rent to offer relief to all businesses, big and small.
“We will also see the effect of Fountain Gate and the opening of Myer and specialty stores. It’s going to be different when that opens,” he said.
“However our businesses will rebound and gather strength – there is going to be good and bad in what’s going to happen.”
Members heard about events happening in coming months including Berwick on Sale; Breast Cancer Network of Australia fund-raiser ‘Pinking Berwick’; the Hot Rods Car Club coming into Berwick on the third Sunday in October, Best of Berwick; the Christmas Charity raffle and a family fun day held in conjunction with VicRoads.
Guest speakers, VicRoads representative Simon Lansdown and Tanya Barnaby from BMD Constructions spoke about the progress on Clyde Road.
Mr Lansdown said both VicRoads and BMD Constructions were calling on feedback from the community.
He said that access to service roads would be affected over two weeks while angle parking was installed.
When asked about the difference the duplication would make for traffic coming in and out of Enterprise Avenue, Mr Lansdown said it would make a significant improvement.
“The challenge of Clyde Road is it is the only north-south road in the area … but it is also a destination road with local facilities,” he said.
“We had to find a plan which balances those two clear functions. (The duplication) will make a difference to travel time and make it much safer. It’s not a silver bullet – it’s a busy road and a growing area.”
He also said residents would notice a marked difference following the High Street intersection upgrade. The intersection has the highest crash history for Clyde Road.
“It will become a much more conventional intersection; a proper, signalised intersection.”
Mr Hutchinson thanked the committee for its support last year.
The new executive committee is Harry Hutchinson, president and council representative; Emil Sawiris, vice-president; Blaz Robar, secretary and public officer; Paul Russell, treasurer; Bob Dip, Megan Inglese-Hunbert, Catherine Charles and Maria Taylor. Bruno Sternberg is auditor and Marylyn Gilberthorpe legal adviser.
