Jamestown Business People

[Ray]

It appears that at least one of our business people in the town is objecting to another business moving it's premises, seemingly because they don't wish to have a vehicle dealer over the road from their residence. This is typical of the NIMBY (not in my back yard)attitude of some of our business community. It is totally without logic, as the vehicle dealership in question will only be operating when the objectors are at their own place of business. Past experience indicates that the dealership would be a credit to the town in the new location, it is quiet and emits no unpleasant odours.

It's no wonder this town can't move ahead and that businesses in the town are not performing at their optimum rate. Already we have several empty shops in the main street, one of which has been allowed to become an eyesore having recently had the verandah removed and nothing further done.

It is my opinion that the objections are totally selfish and are preventing the growth of business in the town.

And for those of you who are wondering, I'm not a business person and have no vested interest in this proposed development.

[adminer]

I'm all for progress Ray. It would be great if others in Jamestown joined in the debate - that's what this forum is all about!  Debating issues that affect locals and that will make Jamestown even better than the great place it already is!

[utegirl70]

Wherever you go, there will be 'wowsers'.
Where I live,(Southern Vales) there is a distinct nagative vibe from certain members of the community, who don't wish for our town to grow..
They want it to stay "The way it is"..which already has proven a death wish.
You cannot expect progress in a small town when everyone is heading to other towns to buy their groceries/cars/goods/etc..

Where would we all be if it weren't for progress?!

[Ray]

Don't get me wrong, I am not just a knocker.

Jamestown is a great town to live in, and for the most part is a credit to it's residents and our District Council. As much as I want Jamestown to prosper, I must say that I do not see an increase in size as an end in itself. Except perhaps to certain Local Government fat cats whose salary is tied to the rate revenue.

However, my original shot at certain of our business people still stands, as the proposed development is not really going to "enlarge" the town to any extent. It will merely provide a better business site for it's owners and possibly the chance of better service to their customers. It's just that their present site precludes any possibility of enlarging their premises.

Having known the persons involved I feel that anything that they do will be a credit to them and a great benefit, to the town.

[utegirl70]

I hope you don't think I was having a go at you..far from it.
I was agreeing that there is always going to be the folk who find it in their way to prevent progress, because it "Hampers" their way of life.

The people in my local town are en masse exodous to nearby suburbs to buy their groceries etc, because of the lack of decent shops. Now, the local business people are against a revamped shopping centre because they reckon it will "Suburbanise" our quaint little township too much, and it should stay the way it is for the tourists.

The town will always have it's "feel", no matter the changes in supermarkets etc.

Unfortunately, the few who do disagree with progress, are ultimately the ones that win. 

[Ray]

I hope you don't think I was having a go at you..far from it.

Not at all utegirl70, you are quite correct in what you say.

Development needs to be finely balanced, we need a certain population base to maintain our present position regards  the businesses so that we don't lose too much money out of the town and maintain things such as schools and medical facilities.

Never the less I would hate to see Jamestown become to big and hide bound like some other regional centres where it is impossible to even "change your mind" without local government interference. There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that Jamestown is already losing much of it's freedom as a small country town. We are now finding ourselves subject to rules and by-laws written for the benefit of people living in the snobby suburbs etc. Unfortunately this scares off people who really want to live a free and easy country lifestyle.

[Luke]

Hello all, I would like to offer an alternate view on this subject. Firstly I do not live in the vicinity of this proposal, and I am not directly affected by the decisions being made. However at the centre of the debate is the right of the resident (wether we agree with their reasons or not) to lodge their objection. We would all be most aggrieved if we did not have this right, this would have been a courages decision to make, for I am sure the resident has had a bit of grief about their objection and expected it.

[Cloe61]

I noticed with some interest that one local manufacturing business is building a new workshop further down the main road, well away from peoples homes, why cant this business build in that area also, then there would be no issues. It seems that there is plenty of land available.

[Ray]

Hello Cloe, and welcome to the forum.

I can't answer your question with any certainty, but I would guess that it has to do with "position". The block in question is within the designated industrial area, and if I were living nearby I would prefer a business such as the one in question to something more "industrial".

I can't see a greenbelt being left between the residential areas and that allocated as industrial, so eventually someone will set up there. I just feel that perhaps it is preferable that it is a clean quiet business that only works 9 - 5.

I should imagine that with the prospective mining boom in the North, Jamestown will grow significantly over the next ten years or so, and I would imagine that the Council would be trying to keep all of the industrial and business area together rather than just letting it straggle out along the main roads.

But I could well be wrong, that is only my impression.

[Richard]

I think the site which was proposed is not the right location, I don't think if it were my home across the road that I would want a business on this block as it would have to detract your homes value, also I understand that the council are now considering a further industrial site which may be more appropriate.

[Susie]

Is it true that the Belalie Hotel is closing/has been shut down/just walked away?

[Ray]

Is it true that the Belalie Hotel is closing/has been shut down/just walked away?

I believe so Susie, I have been told that the present manager is on stress leave, which is quite understandable to those who know a little of the establishment's recent past.

A sad state of affairs considering that it is in my opinion the pub with the most potential in the town. When "Walkie" and Brian Kelly had it, it was "The place to be". 

With a little money and time, I have no doubt that it could be again, as I was told recently that the present manager had turned things around significantly and that the meals being provided there were excellent. My source was eating there every week night.

[TroyVanz]

I believe so Susie, I have been told that the present manager is on stress leave, which is quite understandable to those who know a little of the establishment's recent past.

A sad state of affairs considering that it is in my opinion the pub with the most potential in the town. When "Walkie" and Brian Kelly had it, it was "The place to be". 

With a little money and time, I have no doubt that it could be again, as I was told recently that the present manager had turned things around significantly and that the meals being provided there were excellent. My source was eating there every week night.

wonder if they having kitchen staff probs. im lookin for kitchen employment. kitchen jobs r few and far between so im thinkin bout totally changing careers.

[Ray]

wonder if they having kitchen staff probs. im lookin for kitchen employment. kitchen jobs r few and far between so im thinkin bout totally changing careers.

It won't be opening for quite a while yet Troy, the new owner is making some big changes to the building. Possibly about the beginning of next year.