A ‘‘CHICKEN wire’’ fence built as a temporary measure during the $6.5 million upgrade of the Gymea Shopping Village has still not been replaced.
Signs hung on the structure in September last year announced that ‘‘a design fence’’ would be installed ‘‘by mid-November’’.
November passed, and the only change was that the signs disappeared.
A council spokeswoman said this month the contractor had attributed the delay to ‘‘production problems’’ and hoped to install it ‘‘next month’’.
The fence was among ‘‘a few minor finishing touches’’ required before the upgrade was complete, she said.
Other work included paving repairs in areas affected by underground electrical activities, garden edging and some street furniture installation.
The spokeswoman said that feedback received by the council was that shoppers and business owners were enjoying the improvements.
One shop owner told the Leader business was ‘‘back to normal’’, but another said that apart from extra activity generated by the gift cards (see breakout) trading was poor due to the loss of parking and reduced road width to make the footpaths wider.
GIFT CARDS A HIT
People flocked to Gymea Shopping Village to take advantage of gift cards totalling $10,000 in value offered by Sutherland Shire Council.
Such was the response that the cards ran out three days before the March 10 cut-off, leading the council to put up a notice apologising for any inconvenience.
The promotion was designed to make up for the disruption caused by the shopping strip upgrade, which started in March 2011 and ran more than a year over schedule.
People were able to claim one $10 card for each day they spent $70 or more at local businesses.
A council spokeswoman said the promotion was ‘‘an overwhelming success’’.
The 1000 gift cards had been redeemed between Monday February 24 and Friday March 7, three days earlier than the close of the promotion.
The spokeswoman said there had been positive feedback from everyone involved.
‘‘The terms and conditions of the promotion clearly stated that the promotion would conclude on March 10, or when all 1000 gift cards had been claimed, whichever came first,’’ she said
