Renewing Bayside after lockdown

"After another extended COVID-19 lockdown, how can we breathe new life back into the empty Bay Street shopfronts and discourage anti-social elements?" Peaceful Bayside's founder and candidate in the local government elections, Heidi Lee Douglas said.

The presentation will unpack how the Renew Newcastle model could be used in Bayside.

Renew Newcastle allowed retailers to borrow empty properties on rolling 30-day Licence Agreements that were cost-neutral to the property owner.

"In Newcastle, it led to a 60-90 per cent drop in vacancy rates, 25.6 per cent decrease in property crime and 500,000+ more tourists each year," Heidi said.

"Peaceful Bayside proposed the Renew model to Bayside Council last November, and they unanimously agreed to support the initiative.

"With a second and even more extended lockdown impacting our businesses and residents, it's even more critical Bayside Council helps push urban renewal in our community."

The webinar's special guest speaker representing Renew is Christopher Saunders, formerly the general manager of Renew Newcastle for five years.

Christopher will present the model details and discuss its possible implementation and potential in Bayside with Peaceful Bayside's Heidi Lee Douglas.

Renew Newcastle enabled creative enterprises to flourish and bring life back to a desolate cityscape as well as inform urban development decision-making.

Participating retailers carry out basic cosmetic improvements and fit out, with the property owner consulted and given approval for the project.

Participants maintain regular opening hours and public interaction.

Heidi said that every dollar invested in Renew returned $14.40 to Newcastle.

"Creative industries participating in the Renew initiative generated over $3m to the Newcastle economy in 2016," she said.

Bookings can be made for free webinar tickets via www.peacefulbayside.com/events