AVI businesses are very happy to have survived a tough Covid winter and to be enthusiastically returning to some level of normality this spring. Thank you for supporting us, Artarmon! We really appreciate it every time you step through outdoors.

While the Hampden Road upgrade will transform Artarmon in a positive way, local businesses feel like we are careening out of the pandemic and into a year of disruption from the roadworks. It’s going to be tough.

We are pleased to have met the council’s community liaison officer for streetscapes, Jen Moody, who has been assigned to hold our hand during the process. We were also very happy to meet with our mayor, Tanya Taylor, and ward councillor, Georgie Roussac, in July to discuss ways to engage positively and effectively with Willoughby City Council. Ideally, it will mean we have a say and can cooperate to minimise the disruptions from the roadworks.

The efforts of Georgie and APA vice president Michael Dawes in setting up our new Artarmon loyalty program, Love Your Locals, have been phenomenal. Please embrace the program. It’s a great way to interact with and support the local shops and win vouchers!

AVI committee members are in the village most days and are available for business owners/managers to discuss the benefits of joining AVI to strengthen our commercial precinct. • Ian Huntley (Inter Desserts) • Valerio Domenici (Zucchero Café Bar) • Rosemary Towner (Mind Heart Body Studio) • Evita Barboza (Artarmon Fruity Latin Market) • Michael Chen (Salvage Specialty Coffee) • John Peacock (Associations Forum)

In the background, AVI continues to work on ways to enhance the shopping village with concepts such as a heritage-designed paint job to brighten up the façade and unify us as destination. There would obviously be significant benefit in removing the ugly bent power poles that line the street.

Current regulations mean we’re unlikely to see significant building development in Artarmon Village for at least a decade, so we have to make the best of what we have. Ideally, rail passengers will be motivated to get off the train and experience Artarmon because it is such an attractive precinct.

Lastly, AVI has been overwhelmed by the love and affection shown to us by Artarmon Progress Association, Artarmon Public School and residents during the pandemic and in the face of the upcoming roadworks. It is a testament to the strength and unity of our community.

“This is the Artarmon Village section of the Artarmon Gazette. To read the full copy of the Gazette please click here“