Precinct promotion urged

Tenants do not believe enough is being done to promote the Victorian Precinct in Oamaru, challenging Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust chairman Peter Garvan's assertion it does ''more than .. 95% of landlords'' in New Zealand.

In his annual report, which he emphasised was his personal view and not that of other trustees, Mr Garvan warned it was doubtful the marketing and promotion could continue, and the trust's core responsibility of preserving and maintaining its buildings would take precedence.

The trust owns land and 13 buildings in the historic precinct of Tyne and Harbour Sts in Oamaru, worth an estimated $3.8 million.

Most are occupied by tenants, who pay about $233,000 a year in rent, its biggest single income item last financial year.

After Mr Garvan's comments, the Otago Daily Times approached some of the tenants to get their views on the trust's marketing efforts.

''Basically, it just spin,'' was how one described Mr Garvan's comments.

Five did not want to make any comment, while others who did, did not want names used because of a fear of being identified to the trust.

In general, they did not agree with Mr Garvan's comments and felt the trust could do more. While numbers of tourists had increased dramatically this year, it was not reflected in some tenants' takings.

However, one of the biggest issues they raised was a lack of communication between them and the trust board, along with a demand for more say.

Last year, that dissatisfaction led to the formation of a tenants' group, which has had up to 30 people at its meetings.

Group spokeswoman, artist Donna Demente, has had her gallery in the historic precinct for 12 years and said the need for such a group was so strong it overrode past disagreements between tenants on the direction of the area.

Tenants, as a group, felt there was a lack of communication with the trust.

Some suggestions the tenants' group had made was, as the ''lion's share'' contributor to the trust's income, they should have a representative on the board, even if it was non-voting.

Other suggestions included automatic membership, rather than by subscription, of the trust if they were paying rent, more say in what was being done in the area, and settling the issue of whether there should be a business or cultural focus.

The group had called for a special general meeting of the trust, the request signed by the required 10 members.

The suggestion this year had been an exceptional one for tourists had been ''over-hyped''.

''There may have been more at the peak of the season, but not now and I suspect into winter,'' Ms Demente said.

Mr Garvan's's annual report was adopted unanimously by about 50 people at the annual meeting on Wednesday night.

There was also very little dispute or comment about its content.

However, a range of suggestions were made to improve and promote the area more, including establishing a centre and school for wooden boat building, looking at ways to have ''ambassadors'' dressed in Victorian clothing to greet tourists, recognising the contribution artisans make to the area, getting more members, involving members more in decisions and ensuring shops in the area were unique.

david.bruce@odt.co.nz

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