Media Release
21 May 2007

Businesses vote strongly for new partnership with council

Manurewa and Wiri are set to become Manukau city’s latest Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) following strong polling by businesses in both areas in favour of the initiative.

By becoming a BID, the two business areas will receive additional council funding, generated through targeted rates, and support for programmes and activities to promote economic development in their areas.

Manukau City Council’s Manager Economic Development, Denise Fink says that developing BID areas is an integral part of promoting the economic vitality of Manukau.

“Business improvement districts contribute greatly to the vitality and economic development of the city, and our BID policy enables us to work collaboratively with local businesses to transform parts of the city into successful and vibrant places.”

Manukau City Council’s Business Improvement District Policy, established in 2005, is based on international models to improve the economic, social and cultural vitality of defined areas within the city. The policy enables additional funding to be directly applied in the area it is collected from, for initiatives including security and maintenance, graffiti control, beautification projects, events and tourism initiatives, marketing and promotional activity, business recruiting, signage, coordination of precinct (e.g. appointing someone to coordinate all activities), child care facilities, horticulture and retail improvements.

Wiri and Manurewa have recently completed five-year Strategic Plans after extensive community consultation. These plans provide defined objectives and detailed actions that will benefit the wider community as a whole.

In 2004 there were just two BID’s in Manukau City - there are now 11. This rapid growth has arisen as a result of the success each BID has achieved, and the willingness of businesses to form partnerships with council to get results. Business improvement district in the city range in size from 30 to more than 1500 businesses. Polling is required as part of the establishment phase to determine the level of support from businesses in the area.

ENDS

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