COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION THROUGH ENGAGEMEMENT Kathryn Johnson, Director Infrastructure Port Pirie Regional Council MainStreet SA Conference, 7th April 2017

Overview of Port Pirie Regional Council Port Pirie Regional Council is situated on the upper reaches of the Spencer Gulf in the Southern Flinders Ranges of South Australia. The Council area includes the city of Port Pirie, a historically significant city and busy commercial regional centre, as well as the rural towns of Crystal Brook, Redhill, Koolunga, Wandearah, Mundoora, Napperby and Warnertown. It is a diverse region encompassing agricultural and industrial activities, with a history as a major manufacturing and export centre, where industry, century old buildings and attractive parks and gardens sit side by side.

Council’s Priorities Growing our economy Changing the face of Port Pirie Changing perceptions of Port Pirie Tourism and Events Strategy Organisational excellence

Changing Perceptions Our objectives: Community’s perceptions of itself Outsiders’ perceptions of Port Pirie From industrial City to modern attractive cosmopolitan Regional Capital What we are doing: Improving lifestyle, attractiveness and creating opportunities Southern Flinders Ranges (our backyard) ‘Be a tourist in your own town’ campaign Bringing people to the region Relaunching the brand of Port Pirie ‘Come See Change’

Changing Perceptions

The changing face of Port Pirie Body text

The Changing Face of Port Pirie Recently completed WIP Future Projects Foreshore upgrades Solomontown Beach Plaza Cultural Precinct Skate Park Boat Ramp Transfer Station Water reuse scheme Swimming Pool redevelopment Florence Street PLEC City Bike Loop CBD Playground City Entrances Dredging & Foreshore Mooring pontoons CBD Rejuvenation Regional Sports Precinct Greening Programs City Wetlands Bulk Goods Precinct Memorial Park Upgrade Way Finding Strategy Nelshaby Reservoir Renew Port Pirie Further Foreshore improvements Public Art Extension to Water reuse project

Transforming our CBD Objectives: Physical transformation Improving access Make it worthy of a Regional Capital Make it an attractive place to visit and invest in Improving linkages with surrounding land uses Facilitate broader city centre uses Increase employment opportunities Transforming vacant shops A catalyst for other revitalisation efforts Make use of underutilised spaces

Transforming our CBD

Tranforming our CBD The Project: Undergrounding of powerlines Improving drainage Streetscaping and public art Signage and branding Upgrade associated infrastructure Provision of free Wi-Fi Activating vacant shops Bringing culture and activity to the CBD Marketing and promotions Engaging landlords and business owners

Transforming our CBD Alexander Street Florence Street

The Journey 2011 PLEC undergrounding of powerlines 2012 Retail Lands Analysis 3 2013 CBD Business Case 4 2013 CBD Master Plan 5 2016 Underground stormwater drainage upgrade 6 2016 Concept development and Detailed Design 7 2017 Construction Stage 1

Stakeholder Engagement Face to face consultation Media Releases (web, print, TV, radio) Social Media Letter drops Advertising (print, TV, radio) Fact Sheets and FAQ’s

Stakeholder Engagement DESIGN PHASE 13 December 2015 Project Launch 17 February 2016 Strategic Workshop with Elected Members 18 February 2016 Shopfront display – concepts 23 March 2016 Strategic Workshop with Elected Members 12 April 2016 Shopfront display – Stage 1 & 2 22 June 2016 Adoption of Stage 1 by Council 23 November 2016 Shopfront display – Stage 2

Stakeholder Engagement CONSTRUCTION STAGE 1 10 November 2016 Evening meeting with Alexander Street traders 17 November 2016 Florence Street with Florence Street traders 9 January 2017 Construction Stage 1 commenced 10 February 2017 Breakfast meeting with Alexander Street traders Ongoing communication

Stakeholder Engagement Community Consultation, 18 February 2016 (Alexander Street)

Stakeholder Engagement Community Consultation, 12 April 2016 (Florence Street)

Stakeholder Engagement The Recorder, 7 July 2016

Stakeholder Engagement The Recorder, 9 March 2017

Stakeholder Engagement

Lessons Learned One source of information Communicate often Don’t assume anything Identify the ‘champions’ Promote businesses and business as usual Go to the People; don’t expect them to come to you! One-to-one communication is time consuming but extremely beneficial Isolate the negative people Eliminate the myths and misinformation