Port Phillip’s identity is entwined with its many iconic attractions and places. Our aim is to build on this identity and strengthen the connection between people and the places they share, by involving the local community in the creation of public spaces that people love. For some spaces this may mean retaining and celebrating their valued heritage, whilst other spaces may be re-imagined.

Transforming our city through placemaking and activation

Our city already has successful destinations, such as the foreshore, that shape the identity of Port Phillip and its neighbourhoods. These attract visitors, residents, businesses and investment. Designing spaces that can play host to activities such as markets, performances and outdoor dining, helps ensure these spaces become the focus for public life and the ‘heart’ of local communities.

Co-creating with the community

Creating or revitalising our public spaces will only be successful if the community who use the spaces are involved in the process. Identifying the people in the community with local knowledge and insight, and bringing them into the conversation is vital in creating a sense of community ownership, so that the character, meaning and history of our places is reflected in what we create together.

Enhancing and reimagining places

We need to protect the character of the places and parks that people already love, whilst providing for the growing and diverse needs of our community and visitors. We need to look imaginatively at the assets that Council already owns (land, roads, laneways) to see if we can use them to expand our network of public spaces.

What Council is already doing

• Working with the local community through our placemaking program, to co-create and implement plans to revitalise Clarendon Street, Waterfront Place and Fitzroy Street. This includes how we connect and activate private land adjoining our public spaces to add to the vitality of our shopping precincts.
• Heritage controls already exist to protect spaces that represent our built, natural and social history.
• Improving urban spaces within our shopping streets, both new and renewed spaces e.g. along Carlisle Street.
• Enhancing our much-loved markets, at South Melbourne, St Kilda Esplanade and Gasworks, as key attractions within public space.

Opportunities

Ways we can use public spaces to connect people to the places they love:

• Co-locating public space with community facilities such as our libraries.
• Designing public spaces together with the community that uses them
• Activating urban spaces at the ‘heart’ of each neighbourhood (permanently or temporarily)
• Embedding history and art in public spaces.

Thought prompters

• What are the features or activities in public spaces that make you feel part of your community
• Which opportunities would you like to see implemented in your neighbourhood and where?
• Do you have other ideas?

Return to Have Your Say on the Public Space Strategy main page.