BUSINESS owners along Patton Street in South Broken Hill have begun working together to promote their side of town, with many believing their area has been forgotten by locals and council alike.
Two of the most vocal businesses in this new campaign are Brenda’s Spray Tanning and Beauty, and Stella’s Stitch.
The former’s owner Brenda Slattery moved into her Patton Street store in October 2024 after running a successful at-home salon.
“I just wanted to grow, expand and start doing things for myself a little bit more,” she said.
“I love it out in the south and I took the opportunity because there was a vacant shop and it was perfect.
“I would love to see more families out here, more people coming out to the South.
“Don’t have the misconception that it’s too far – it’s directly over the hill, it’s not too far.”
The idea that South Broken Hill is too far away from the town’s centre, despite being less than a 10 minute drive, is common.
“From my point of view, I just want people to start shopping out the south more,” Ms Slattery said.
“We’re just forgotten a little and it would be great to see more people supporting it.”
According to Ms Slattery, the Broken Hill City Council needs to focus more on improving the area, and drawing in locals and tourists.
“We definitely need more work done in Patton Street; the footpaths need more love, and we need more signage so people know where we are as well,” she said.
The signage she’s referring to are the signs directing travellers from the airport, Mildura or Adelaide to Argent Street (the ÇBD).
“It would be great to see more signage to say that there’s Patent Street Village available,” she said.
“Additional signage: we’re not trying to cut down anybody – there’s plenty of room for everyone.”
Lyndal Graham, owner of quilting, haberdashery and sewing store Stella’s Stitch, said despite the issues, the south has strong businesses on offer.
“This whole precinct is really quite strong,” she said.
“There’s healthcare, beauty, clothing, food, takeaway and three hair salons with strong clientele business. We’ve got my quilting store, which isn’t just textiles and fabric; it’s going to be classes and learning to recycle, revamp and renew things as well.
“There’s something on offer for everybody.”
Ms Slattery said just a little bit more support from council would help.
“I feel just a little bit more support from our council will help us maintain our area as well,” she said.
“Like it would be fantastic if at Christmas time we could have some lights and decorations out here in Patton Street, because when it’s Christmas it’s absolutely beautiful in town.
“It would be so wonderful to just have a little bit of extra love out this way.
“You’ve got all these other businesses along here that I’m sure will have their point of view as well, but I think we’re all on the same sort of page.
“We just want more love out here.”
Council declined to comment on the matter, but did provide a list of projects recently completed and coming up.
These projects include upgrades to Alma Oval and the Alma Institute for the local Country Women’s Association (CWA) to move in, and upgrades to the Patton Street Dog Park.
Lamb Oval and Duff Street Park were also mentioned, with both boasting new cricket nets after an upgrade late last year.
For some, like former Patton Village Association president Larry Angel, the current commitment to the south is not enough.
The association, which closed up around a year ago due to lack of volunteers, was set up to run events, activate Patton Street, and advocate for the south.
“I’ve still got a lot of interest in the south,” Mr Angel said. “So since then I’ve done a submission to council regarding the strategic plan, to highlight some of the issues that relate to South Broken Hill.”
Mr Angel said one of the key issues the area faces is the Patton Street Park development.
“For many, many years, we worked with the council to develop a plan, and then when the park did get developed, only half of it was done. They basically, theoretically, run out of money to be able to restore the whole park,” he said.
“So only half of it is done.
“The rest of that park needs to be upgraded and completed as council have done with a lot of other parks around town, they need to come back and finish Patton Street Park.
Like Ms Slattery, Mr Angel said council needs to repair and upgrade the town’s footpaths.
“The footpaths in Patton Street at best can be described as ordinary, especially on the shopper side,” he said.
“They need to look at putting pavers down like they’ve done down the bulk of the CBD.”
Mr Angel also expressed his view that the block previously used for the Alma Swimming Pool should be cleared and reused.
“Council pulled down the swimming pool and left a big weed patch,” he said.
“My personal belief is that it should be developed as housing blocks, but at a bare minimum council needs to get in there and keep the lawns mowed to prevent snakes.”
Alongside Mr Angel’s advocacy for the south, Ms Slattery said at the moment the best way to advocate for the suburb’s businesses is to fill in the council’s community engagement survey, which it is using to gather community opinions on the community’s future, and shape the 2040 Community Strategic Plan.
The survey can be completed online via Broken Hill City Council’s website.
