Rosebank Business Centre Report

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Key findings

This summary contains the findings of a range of mail-out questionnaires conducted with key business people and decision-makers across the Rosebank area of Avondale, Auckland. Businesses were selected on the basis of being Rosebank Business Association members. The key findings from the survey are:

• People are generally happy to be in the Rosebank area.
• Congestion is the single most significant issue – especially during peak periods. Congestion across the city affects the supply and delivery of goods and services, including staff access to work.
• The quality of the natural environment is a factor for some businesses.
• Parking and safety issues are of major concern too many respondents. Some feel that before too long there will be a fatal accident due to space restrictions and a lack of adequate response time when vehicles pull out of businesses and or side streets onto Rosebank Road and face oncoming traffic.
• People want less traffic congestion and more public transport services.
• The Rosebank area is busy at almost all times during the day.
• Key location advantages for all businesses include locality of a good work force, access for staff, customers and suppliers.
• Proximity to the Port and the Central Business District and less significantly the Airport are key factors in business location decisions.
• Business expansion and growth has been a key characteristic of the business environment of the area. Some businesses are still seeking to expand.
• The availability of industrial land is an issue as for the first time undeveloped land is becoming scarce.
• Some reasons given by businesses for considering other Auckland locations include proximity to Auckland Airport and main distribution routes along with larger facilities.
• Few businesses have direct contact with Government agencies. A few respondents have contact with industry bodies. There is a general lack of communication and consultation between central government and business.
• Businesses express frustration due to a lack of acknowledgement by local and central government and often do not have the time available to commit to consultative processes, whilst operating their businesses.
• Infrastructure (not transport) is generally acceptable for most respondents. Telecommunications and electricity are adequate, although lack the advantages of more modern technologies. People want broadband services that are reliable and want to be guaranteed electricity supply in the future.
• The cost of land is increasingly becoming an issue for business in their location decisions. The Rosebank area is generally well positioned as the costs are more affordable than competing business centre locations.
• Local government services are perceived to be adequate overall, however some responses indicate a desire from business for Auckland City to take a more hands on approach in managing contractors responsible for rubbish and recycling.