Freo could adopt Newcastle creative business initaitive

Submitted by Kirsty Lawson on Tue, 17/08/2010 - 12:41

The Australian Greens have announced an innovative policy to revitalise local communities by making empty shopfronts available to be used by creative small businesses at no cost to the owners.

The policy is based on the established ‘Renew Newcastle’ programme, set up by writer and broadcaster, Marcus Westbury.

"I'm delighted that the Greens have been able to work with Marcus to turn his brilliant idea into a national policy framework that would benefit communities like Fremantle," according to Kate Davis, Greens candidate for Fremantle.

"It's a shame that buildings around Fremantle are standing empty while small businesses struggle to find spaces to lease.

"Shopfronts are left empty because it is often cheaper for owners to leave them unoccupied than to lease them at low rent,” said Ms Davis.

Local artist Debbie Walker Tremlett currently works from home in Hamilton Hill. She says the initiative would give many artists the confidence to take their creative business ideas to the next level.

“For an artist like me, it’s a great opportunity to have my work seen and for artists to set up a studio, a gallery or both. From the community’s point of view, it’s always exciting for people to see local artists at work,” Ms Tremlett said.

"If we make sure owners of unoccupied buildings don't face any costs by allowing these businesses to use their premises, we can see Fremantle
flourish even more," said Lynn MacLaren, Greens WA spokesperson for Culture and the Arts.

The Greens' Empty Spaces - Creative Spaces policy will:

*       establish a $3 million grants program for groups to replicate Renew Newcastle's model;
*       tweak tax laws to ensure that no financial disincentives exist for owners to free up vacant properties for creative enterprises; and
*       provide for public liability insurance to be paid as part of the scheme.

"We've all seen the amazing difference it can make to a local shopping strip or a town centre when just one or two old boarded up shopfronts get cleaned up and start being used again,” added Ms Davis.

For media enquiries call Kate Davis on 0422432874.

Debbie Walker Tremlett contact 0421 746 390