Local businesses and residents will benefit from a new publication recently launched by the Tea Tree Gully Council. The City of Tea Tree Gully Business and Community Directory contains comprehensive listings of local businesses, Council services and facilities, and sporting and community groups, all colour coded for easy reference.
“We have had excellent feedback,” said Tea Tree Gully Council’s Marketing Manager, Jim Myhill. “People have embraced the new directory, telling us that they are finding it very beneficial – much easier to use and helping them to buy from local businesses.”
Council was delighted with the response from local business people, who were quick to accept the offer of a free listing registering their business name and number in the directory.
“It was great to see local business getting behind this initiative,” said Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Greg Perkin. “Their support makes the directory a really practical publication for our residents – a publication that I am sure they will find of considerable value and will want to keep handy.”
The costs of the publication are largely offset by advertising revenue, so Council’s financial contribution is minor.
“The whole exercise, including printing and delivery to 37,500 households, cost Council only a fraction more than the costs of producing our previous directory,” Jim Myhill said. “Our previous directory was far less comprehensive and we only printed 5,000 copies.”
In conjunction with the directory, Council has launched a ‘Buy Local’ campaign. This encourages residents and businesses to buy products and services from local suppliers, which in turn boosts the local economy and helps develop more local employment opportunities. The campaign includes ‘Buy Local’ stickers for local businesses and a concurrent promotional campaign including substantial prizes on offer for local shoppers.
In launching the new initiative, Economic Development Advisory Committee member, Councillor Marino Nassig, encouraged residents to get behind the campaign.
“It just makes common sense,” he said. “If people have a choice about where to buy products, clearly the local supplier is the better choice. A local supplier is more accessible, because they are closer to home, they are usually faster to respond to any requests or issues, and can offer more personal service. So, if the price is the same, Buy Local!”
The Business and Community Directory also includes a full colour, fun map of Council’s recreation and leisure facilities.
“We want people to get out and enjoy the facilities that are provided,” said Jim Myhill. “But we know that simple lists of facilities and activities don’t cut through and are often thrown away or ignored. So by including a fun, cartoon style map in the centre of the directory, we are hoping that people will keep the map, maybe even stick it on the fridge, and refer to it when the family wants to get out and enjoy some of the outstanding facilities the City of Tea Tree Gully has to offer.”
