I have just read Jack Arnold’s letter to the editor (8/2/12) and I must say, I could not agree more with his sentiments. Every weekend as I pound the pavement of the central mall, I become more and more dismayed by its increasingly derelict look and feel, as shops close their doors and the masses head to where all the action is, that monstrosity of concrete and steel they call “Centro”.
Armidale has gained an American-style indoor mini-mall, and in the process lost some of its charm and appeal to residents and visitors alike.
Council’s decision to go ahead with this development was short-sighted: they were able to see only the dollars, but (pardon the pun) not the sense – the common sense – in the argument that our population base cannot support too many businesses. Now our locally-owned shops are closing because large corporations and franchises in Centro are taking their customers.
Along similar lines, I was astounded when three perfectly serviceable women’s public toilets on Faulkner Street disappeared, replaced instead by a single electronic toilet that has many entertaining bells and whistles (I like how you’ll get chemical cleaners sprayed on you if you stay in there, past the warning signal). However I wonder how much rate payers had to fork out for this show of modernity – which, in the end, is just a toilet – and why, if the old toilets did indeed need replacement, Council couldn’t have purchased a humbler version of what we ended up getting. I’m sure it would have been cheaper, and we probably could have afforded to buy more than just one.
I am not suggesting that Council is “all bad”. It has recently made great progress in so-called “alternative” areas: supporting community initiatives to grow and market local produce; adding and upgrading bicycle paths; taking steps to help families reduce waste and increase recycling.
Let us hope that Council also learns to view economic development in a similarly “alternative” light.
In the final analysis, our decision-makers must not lose sight of Armidale’s unique character. We have a beautiful (though increasingly empty) central mall, historic buildings (aside from the toilets), autumn leaves, open space, top-rate schools, art, music, and a vibrant sense of community. Many places do not have all these things. Conversely, larger cities like Sydney offer goodies that Armidale does not have. Sydney is Sydney, and Armidale is Armidale. We must take pride in our natural assets and build on our uniqueness, rather than slavishly aspiring to imitate developments that might be appropriate elsewhere, but not in the context of this community.
Cindy Schneider,
Armidale
