CALLS for police help in Geelong’s mall “reduced substantially” over the past five years, a traders forum heard yesterday.
Police also said crime rates were down while offering security audits to traders at the forum on improving Lt Malop St Mall.
The police statements contrasted with some public perceptions of the mall, which had national media attention earlier this year when a brutal assault was filmed and posted to social media. Traders have also complained of youths causing troubles outside and inside their stores, scaring away shoppers.
Geelong Chamber of Commerce chief Bernadett Uzelac said the forum was one of a series to “address the issues in the mall”.
“These forums give interested traders a chance to discuss their challenges and present possible solutions where everyone can work together to better activate the space,” Ms Uzelac said.
“We’re already seeing positive change with the resurgence of business activity in Lt Malop St. “People are investing in the area because they can see the vast potential.”
City ward councillor Michelle Heagney said mall traders could help themselves by sprucing up their premises with “inviting shop windows”.
Improved lighting and increased activity would also help, she said.
“These are just some of the strategies we can implement in the short-term while we work towards the long term vision of encouraging significant growth in the number of people working and living in the city.”
Ms Uzelac said the push to clean up the area would also launch a #SoYouKnowGeelong campaign, featuring a wall art activity, “listening posts” and a street surfer bus with support and mediation for mall users.
“The campaign will ask mall users to share their thoughts on acceptable behavior in public spaces, to involve them directly in the discussion and the solution.”
City Hall has a long-term goal of 10,000 residents in central Geelong and a 30 per cent increase in its worker numbers.
