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The steering committee formed in the wake of the failed Warkworth Business Improvement District (BID) vote, held earlier this year, has wasted no time in getting up and running.
Under the chairmanship of Warkworth solicitor Chris Murphy, a business plan has been formulated, sponsors are being approached and a membership drive is underway.
“The Warkworth area is going to undergo significant growth in the next 10 years and will have many challenges to face as part of this process,” Mr Murphy says.
“Ensuring the long-term sustainability and success of local businesses is essential, as is ensuring that services are provided by key stakeholders to ensure this growth is well-handled.”
Mr Murphy says that while the BID did not proceed, if anything, the process galvanised the local business community and a great opportunity now exists to leverage this sentiment and create a meaningful association.
Association stationery is sporting a new logo, which the committee hopes will symbolise a new, united and inclusive direction for Warkworth.
Committee member and Bayleys Real Estate managing director, Mark Macky, says the logo and business plan are starting points, and will be discussed in more detail at the annual meeting in September.
“We are looking to make some significant changes to the business association’s approach,” Mr Macky says. “We want Warkworth businesses to have a strong voice in the growth and development of Warkworth.
“We have identified more than 750 potential member businesses in the greater Warkworth area.
Membership in the past has been around 80, but our aim is to drive this to 250-plus by the time of the annual meeting.”
The committee has already had an encouraging response to its approach to major sponsors. Early supporters include Webster Malcolm Law, Bayleys, Mason Containers, Davco Electrical, Mason Contractors, MS Engineering, Hutchinson Consultants, Rodney Surgical Centre and Hire Works.
The Rodney Local Board has also been asked to step-up and assist in the first 12-months while sponsorship and membership support grows.
Who’s on the committee?
Chair, Chris Murphy, Webster Malcolm Law; Al Mason, Mason Containers; Hugh Harvey, MS Engineering; John Kyle, Hire Works; Liz Bayes, Warkworth Lodge; Lance O’Callaghan, Mason Contractors; Burnette Macnicol, O’Connor Planning; Dave Morrison, Davco Electrical; Susan Lake, Core Builders Composites; Jan Hutcheson, Bayleys Commercial; Mark Macky, Bayleys Warkworth; and Jannette Thompson, Mahurangi Matters.
