Project background

We developed the draft Creative Port Phillip Strategy to outline how Council will support and grow the city’s creative industries, arts, festivals and events now and into the future.

From Thursday 4 June to Sunday 5 July 2026, we asked the creative sector and wider community to provide feedback on the draft objectives and actions before the Strategy was finalised.

This input helped shape a plan that reflects our community and supports a thriving creative ecosystem in Port Phillip.

What did we ask?

Through a series of online and in-person engagement activities, community members helped prioritise actions, provide feedback on our objectives, and share their thoughts on the Strategy as a whole.

What did we hear?

Actions:

Respondents identified the following five elements as the highest priorities, allocating the most points to them during the action prioritisation activity:

• More affordable creative spaces (178 points or 12% of the total)
• Support music, film and games (130 points or 8.7% of the total)
• Long-term funding for the arts (108 points or 7.3% of the total)
• Vibrant precincts and nightlife (98 points or 6.6% of the total)
• Promote local artists and work (97 points or 6.5% of the total)

The results show a clear focus on strengthening the foundations of the creative sector through access to space, funding and industry support. Respondents also highlighted the importance of vibrant places and opportunities that showcase local creative talent and increase local awareness of creative activity.

Together, these priorities reflect a desire for a creative sector that is both sustainable and visible within the community.

Objectives:

The survey results show that respondents generally saw the objectives as more relevant and beneficial when thinking about their own experiences. However, the ratings for each objective generally declined when they were considered from another group’s perspective. This suggests there may be opportunities to better explain how each objective benefits the wider creative community.

However, with only 15 respondents taking part in this activity, the results should be viewed as indicative only and used to identify themes rather than make broad conclusions.

Broad feedback:

The feedback on the creative strategy was most strongly focused on creative community, connection and wellbeing (68.6% or 24 responses), highlighting the importance of fostering a connected and thriving creative sector.

Other key themes included funding, investment and sustainability and partnerships, collaboration and creative networks (both 62.9% or 22 comments), reflecting strong interest in strengthening financial support and cross-sector collaboration.

Respondents also frequently emphasised affordable creative spaces and infrastructure (60.0% or 21 comments) and artist development and professional pathways (57.1%, or 20 comments), indicating a desire for practical support that enables creatives to grow and sustain their practice.

Overall, the responses suggested a priority on building a well-supported, connected and sustainable creative ecosystem.

What happens next?

The feedback from this consultation will be used to help finalise the Strategy that will be presented to Council for adoption. Both the engagement report and the final Strategy are scheduled to appear before Council in November.