State of the City Address - A Health Check for our City

The 2010 State of the City Address, held in a packed Sebel Ballroom last week, delivered an impressive while accurately-grounded view of the landscape upon which the success of our businesses resides during these testing times.

 Since the Chamber first suggested this event over 9 years ago it has served as a thumb nail sketch of what the Council has done in the previous year, what it intends to do now and how it will deal with the challenges of the future.

 The Lord Mayor Cr Paul Garrard's presentation was an examination of the City's well-being, a Health Check, identifying the pace at which our City is growing. Cr Garrard spoke about current deficiencies ‘blocking our arteries', ‘the risk of ‘stunting our growth' and ‘suffering congestion', with the need for more and better transport and improved infrastructure.

 The analogy used was appropriate highlighting that our City has a Heart, a Pulse and Senses with which we react to the ever changing environment. We must see problems as challenges, challenges that we can meet together as a business community with the support of our Council and its Economic development Team.

 A City with a clear message ‘open for business' has lead to Council recognizing the need to fast track development applications, eliminating red tape, providing density bonuses to developers and throwing away unnecessary floor space restrictions.

 This informative and positive address coupled with a strong relationship, has increased Chamber's confidence in Council and the Business Community to meet the challenges that arise from such a progressive and fast growing City.