The Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce is standing alongside local businesses, police and Bundaberg Regional Council in a united effort to make the CBD a safer, stronger and a more vibrant place to work, shop and connect.
This commitment is part of Council’s Safe Spaces, Thriving Places initiative and is focused on a mission to enhance community safety and confidence in the city centre.
A list of priority actions has been developed to help deliver this goal which include increased cleaning, stronger compliance presence and improved collaboration with local traders and support services.
Chamber of Commerce Vice President David Coe said creating a safe environment for business owners, staff and customers was key to revitalising the CBD.
“I mean, this is the main street of Bundaberg. It’s the heartbeat,” he said.
“We want to be able to encourage people to be able to come down here shop.
“We’ve also got (to think about) the safety of the staff.
“There’s many staff employed right through this whole city centre here and they need to feel safe to come to work, do their job and go home.”
To ensure every voice is heard, a community survey has been launched to better understand the impacts of antisocial behaviour on local businesses and the broader community.
The feedback will help shape practical solutions to improve safety and encourage greater activity in the CBD.
“Take the time to do that survey because the Council can only act on what the information is they’re given by the businesses and anyone else in this area,” David said.
“We want to bring confidence back into the city centre here that customers can come down here with their children and with their elderly grandparents and walk safely and freely and do the shopping as they normally should.”
To find out more information or to take the survey click here.
