ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY
HIDDEN IN PLAIN
SIGHT - THE LOCAL
INDEPENDENT
PROFESSIONAL
BY RAY TIERNAN
In a local government economic development context
a large proportion of time can be taken up with street
level retail businesses. These stakeholders can be key
drivers of, and heavily reliant on, foot traffic in main
streets and activity centres but they’re not the only
inhabitants of this retail ‘forest’.
Independent professionals - solicitors, accountants,
tax professionals, financial advisors and
superannuation specialists – as well as the ‘creative
suite’ – architects, graphic designers to name just
two - are often clustered in and above main street
shopping precincts and form a subtle but important
part of the local economic ecosystem. In addition, they
provide government with an alternative ‘on the ground’
stakeholder to the traditional physical shop retailer.
SAME SAME…BUT DIFFERENT
It’s both the things these professionals have in
common with shop retailers, as well as the differences
that make them such a valuable stakeholder.
Like their shop neighbours the local professional
is either a property owner or tenant in the precinct.
In addition, they spend the majority of their time
physically in the centre. Like shop operators, if there
is a trader organisation then they are likely to be a
member or at least be aware of its existence and
know some of the members. Finally, if a special rate/
levy scheme exists for the area then they are directly
or indirectly participating and/or contributing to it.
Unlike shop operators these professionals usually
keep more traditional office hours. They have more
structured, calendar appointment based work
practices and usually have no need to engage
with local government on footpath trading or street
infrastructure issues.
THE OPPORTUNITY
With their physical presence in the street the
professionals have valuable knowledge about the
history and relationships between traders as well
as the inevitable ebb and flow of tenancies, shop
operators and the opening and closing down of
businesses.
As they usually operate by appointment it can be
quicker and easier to meet with them one-on-one as
opposed to a shop operator where the conversation
is constantly under threat of interruption by staff and
customers.
In areas where trader groups are in their infancy,
professionals, through their constant exposure to
government process and regulation, can be an
invaluable asset in navigating the group through
incorporation and other administrative regulatory
requirements.
Finally, as they’re not as heavily dependent on foot
traffic and the associated issues of parking, street
infrastructure and footpath trading, conversations
can more quickly move to macro strategic issues,
for example, the marketing and promotion of the
centre as a whole.
These professionals can be a trusted voice to
encourage trader groups to lift their outlook to the
medium term, bringing discussions of the “bigger
picture” - the long term commercial sustainability of
the precincts - to the forefront.
So when engaging with the butcher, baker and
candlestick maker, keep the local independent
professional in mind as well. With the rapid
transformation of the retail sector, the professional
services provide a critical piece of the tenanting mix
to ensure the prized activation of our local centres is
sustained.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ray Tiernan holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University
of Queensland and has worked in local government in Victoria
for the last six years. He was Senior Project Officer for the
City of Port Phillip’s Vibrant Villages Placemaking Program
which won the 2016 EDA award for Community in Economic
Development. In 2018 he was Program Manager - Planning
& Performance overseeing the Council endorsement and
publication of Year 2 of the City Port Phillip’s Council Plan
2017-27 and Budget 2018/19. His passion and focus is
on delivering the benefits to communities and the local
economy brought about by collaboration between businesses,
community groups and local artists.
VOL.12 NO.1 2019 | 21