How to kill a city

It appears that some centres around our beloved City are dying a rather slow and painful death and need a visit to the Emergency Department. Take Claremont and Subiaco for instance – once thriving, exciting places to visit both day and night and now more like a dying dog, with paws still twitching. Why is this so?

My opinion, for what it’s worth, is because of stupid rules, ridiculous decisions, and inappropriate laws. Why oh why do we have a rule for everything?! It’s so debilitating. It’s supposed to be a free country but you even get fined heavily if you don’t vote! What’s free about that?

Whoever made the decision about the existing Bay View Terrace should definitely have their future freed up. What is that about? Is it a mall? Is it a street? No it’s a super stuff up! They’ve slowed the cars down to 10kph – wow! That’s going to make a huge difference – really bring back the atmosphere. I suspect this is the result of “design by committee” – everyone gets a say and the result is a disaster.

For goodness sake just make it a mall – take away those silly poles, allow chairs and tables outside, allow live entertainment, get off worrying about where everyone’s going to park – they’ll figure it out, and there’s masses of parking anyway.

We need more music, cafes, restaurants, cute independent shops, street entertainers and laughter to bring Claremont back to life.

As for Subiaco, tell me there were joking about the Wave Park. It must be a joke?! That could not have been a serious proposal. A wave park and hundreds more apartments, because we are so short of apartments in Subiaco right? With hundreds of miles of beaches on our doorstep, what self-respecting adult surfer is going to visit a wave park? And where are all the sustainability Gods? Just what Subiaco needs, thousands of screaming children riding fake waves to a fake beach. The “Billy Butlins” of Subiaco. Another high level decision. Will there be a pool fence around it I wonder?

The Rokeby Road Markets decision is a great one – as long as its done properly – not like the last time with a half-hearted attempt every 4th weekend where nobody really knew when it was on, and a mere smattering of stalls that changed constantly. Something like this has to be done with commitment, consistency and courage or it’s never going to work. Let’s relax all the rules, rescind all those unnecessary laws and let people be free and responsible for themselves.

Then perhaps people will be encouraged and stimulated to make a go of things instead of throwing up their hands and saying “This is all too hard”.

Source: www.therealestateconversation.com.au

Griffith Real Estate
Related Posts
How to kill a city