Trading good ... but not too good - Wales

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has welcomed reports of strong Christmas trading periods for tourism and retail outlets on the Peninsula.

President Mr Matthew Wales said it seemed local businesses had weathered the worst of the Global Financial Crisis with better than expected retail trade over summer.

"Across the Peninsula, we are encouraged by reports that the Christmas trading period has been very good," Mr Wales said.

"That's not to say that business isn't still tough.

"Generally, people are still being careful about their discretionary spending but it would appear that a lot of confidence is returning to the market.

"This is encouraging and bodes well for the rest of 2010."

Mr Wales said the Umina, Woy Woy and Ettalong town centres have all seemed to benefit from the Christmas period.

"The Umina Beach town centre has traded very well and will benefit from ongoing construction activity generated by the new Woolworths store and the pending refurbishment of the BiLo in Oscar St," Mr Wales said.

"A number of new businesses have opened in Ettalong Beach town centre with several more due in the early part of 2010 which would indicate renewed confidence in the village.

"We understand that Deepwater Plaza and Peninsula Plaza also enjoyed a busy Christmas period which is important for business growth and job creation."

According to Mr Wales, the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce stressed that, while the retail figures look good for the Christmas period, it was important Gosford Council make long term commitments to the "revitalisation of the Peninsula town centres".

"The Draft Gosford Local Environmental Plan will be placed on exhibition from February 10, and it is extremely important that the business community examine and comment on the plan as this will govern future development in our town centres," Peninsula Chamber vice president Mr Andrew Tregent said.

"We cannot afford to miss the opportunity to improve the planning controls in our town centres so that property owners and developers have confidence to invest in renovations and new building construction.

"There is a real scarcity of good quality vacant retail and commercial floor space on the Peninsula.

"This will only change if council provides incentives to property owners to invest in new building construction."

Press release, 21 Jan 2010 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce