Sixty percent of submissions received for the new City Block development agree the Invercargill City Council should invest a further $21 million needed to get the project completed, bringing its total investment to $46 million. 

Last month the ICC asked for public feedback on whether it should invest extra money after one of the key investors pulled out, leaving a $16 million shortfall. 

Of the 452 submissions that the ICC received, 60% supported option one – Investing another $16 million to cover the shortfall and further $5 million for design purposes (consulted on in August last year).

Option one is the council’s preferred option.

Eighteen percent chose option two – No additional funding by the council, including the $5 million allocated for design. The investment should be kept at $25 million.

Eight percent chose option three – Repurposing the additional $5 million allocated last year for design changes to put towards the initial investment, bringing the total investment to $30 million but still leaving a $16 million shortfall.

Thirteen percent did not select an option, for various reasons.

More than 20 of the 452 submitters chose to speak directly to the council to voice their concerns during a public hearing held all day Wednesday.

Neighbouring Retailers Group chairman Ben Fokkens read his group’s submission and said it fully supported investing the extra money to create a vibrant city centre.

“This development shouldn’t be about the money. It should be about the opportunity… the opportunity to create more jobs, the opportunity to future proof our CBD to not only something that we will enjoy but something our kids, grandkids can enjoy for years to come,” he said. 

The Neighbouring Retailers Group represents business owners operating on Tay, Kelvin, Esk and Don streets.

Surveyor and principal of surveying company Ralf Moir Ltd, Don Moir also supported investing a total of $46 million, saying the council needed to borrow whatever money necessary to get the project done.  

He also expressed frustration at the fact the council was even having this debate at all. 

“How was one of the key stakeholders able to pull out? How did that happen? It speaks to me of lack of leadership in this council,” he said. 

Ratepayer Alexander Perkins supported the $46 million investment, as did Wayne Harpur. 

However, Mr Harpur suggested the ICC should be asking for rates contributions from Environment Southland as many people from outside of Invercargill would benefit from experiencing the new City Block. 

“Fifty-four percent of people who go to netball games are outside of Invercargill, yet they go to games [here]… Environment Southland should be lobbied to supply regional rates,” he said. 

Bridget Forsyth spoke on behalf of the Cancer Society. She supported option one, but only on the proviso that the ICC factor healthy lifestyle choices into the urban designs.

She suggested making it smoke and vape free, having plenty of seats and plants and having a designated play area for children so families, who wouldn’t otherwise bring their children shopping, would be encouraged to shop at City Block.  

Some felt building more shops at a time when online shopping was only growing more popular was a bad idea. Retiree Kate Hays supported option two – investing $25 million and urged the council not to build “any more shops than necessary”.

“Young people don’t go shopping… they shop online. We need to build flats above shops instead,” which she said would draw young adults into the city centre and create needed inner-city foot traffic.

Ratepayer Selwyn Steadman supported option three. He felt the investment should be capped at $30 million, saying the fact that the ICC had struggled to get other private investors to come on board suggested it was a risky investment. 

Southland Chamber of Commerce members were also in support of the $46 million investment. 

Southland Chamber of Commerce president Neil McAra said 75% of its members agreed that Invercargill needed redevelopment in the central city, and the [City Block] development would add “economic and social benefits, which will help develop the Southland region”.

Others pointed out that the new development would not only attract shoppers into the city, but also trade workers who had left Invercargill in search of jobs elsewhere.

“I think there’s a huge amount of tradies that would return home if there was the work,” said sales manager Hugh McGaveston, who supported the $46 million investment.

“Construction is [also] cheap at the moment. Lots of companies are desperate to get work… now is the time to build,” he said. 

Retired doctor John Vercoe also endorsed the $46 million investment and said something must be done to re-vitalise the city to prevent other retirees like him and his wife leaving Invercargill in search of more exciting places to live around the country. 

Invercargill Architect Bob Simpson supported option two and said the council should not spend any more money on the development. Instead the ICC should employ urban planners and architects to assist in finding out what the real needs of the community were. And then start the inner city rebuild process. 

“The council has responsibility for museums, art galleries and exhibition spaces and community public spaces, which are not included in the current ‘Block’ proposal. Spaces for these activities should be included in the staged redevelopment of the Inner City.”

Financial risk involved in opening a retail precinct in a post COVID-19 economy continued to be a major factor for those who voted for option two. 

Musical director Stephen Aldridge suggested option two, as did ratepayer Suzie Smith.

They both felt the demolished City Block area should instead be turned into a low-cost, green community space where people gathered to eat and socialise. 

Some felt the $46 million was a necessary investment but felt a more creative approach to the development was needed to prevent it from becoming just another boring mall. 

Southland electorate Labour candidate and art curator Cherie Chapman was all for option one but urged the council to steer clear of creating a “zombie” mall void of activities and shoppers. 

“No longer can malls be a passive place to buy stuff, they need to be engaging places,” she quoted. 

She said City Block needed to have family friendly activities, interactive art displays, which showcased Southland and be an all-round visitor destination in the hub of the central city. 

Invercargill youths had a future-focused, optimistic perspective on why the Invercargill City Council should invest the $46 million.

Invercargill Youth council members Madison Flannery and Ashleigh Putt-Fallows said the development would give a much-needed boost to Invercargill city in the long run. 

“When we go off to Uni, we want to be able say we’re proud that we grew up in Invercargill,” they said. 

They also advocated for more free activities available for youth in City Block like volunteering options, as they said many young people want to help more in their communities. 

The council will deliberate on the submissions received on June 23 and intends to come to a decision at the next council meeting on June 29.