Neighbourhood updates
We’ve achieved so much in our neighbourhood since we began working in a highly localised way. This means the projects we do and the way we engage with our communities has your needs in mind.
Here’s five projects we've been working on in Melbourne CBD.
To read more about projects from the past two years, visit our priorities page.
News
If viewing on mobile, hold and swipe tabs left to view all.
Events
Events
Information was correct at the time of publishing, but is subject to change. Please contact the event organiser.
If you have an event or opportunity to add, get in touch.
Activities
Local activities
What's happening in the neighbourhood?
This is a place to publicly share information about local activities. If you would like to share something directly with the City of Melbourne, please contact the neighbourhood partner.
Posts must be:
- related to the neighbourhood
- not political or religious content
- not promoting individual commercial entities
Your post may also be declined if we can’t verify it due to insufficient information, or if there are concerns for public health or safety. Note that all posts are subject to review to meet the City of Melbourne’s guidelines.
Stories
CBD stories
-
Doing what counts in CBD
Every day the City of Melbourne strives to make a different for the community. Now we’re in the third year of our Council Plan, there’s much to celebrate about what we’ve delivered in your neighbourhood.
-
Twilight trading at Paperback Bookshop
Amid the towers of books at Paperback Bookshop, Anna MacDonald has seen everything from in-store marriage proposals to tattoos inspired by the shop facade.
-
How cultural awareness helps reconciliation
Find out how a guided walk along the Birrarung can help us power up the city’s cultural awareness, as we prepare our sixth Reconciliation Action Plan.
-
Meet your local trader
Get to know the trader groups working behind the scenes to support local businesses and showcase the best of Melbourne’s retail, culinary and visitor economies in the CBD.
-
Guide to waste-free shopping at QVM
Bring your reusable containers and bags to Queen Victoria Market to check off your whole shopping list, including meat, fish, cheese, antipasti, wine, olive oil, grains, fruit, vegies and even shampoo.
-
Eid at QVM promotes peace, love and compassion
In April, Ayesha’s team of volunteers will present Eid celebrations at Queen Victoria Market as part of SalamFest, which has been running for nine years. The City of Melbourne is supporting the Eid event through our Events Partnership Program.
-
Ten ways to connect with your neighbours
Whether you’re new to your neighbourhood or you’ve lived there for a while, many people would like to make new friends and feel more connected to their community. But how do you make this happen?
-
ArtPlay turns 20
Head to the riverbank behind Fed Square to discover a creative haven that has enchanted children, families and artists for two decades.
-
Faces of CBD: Maria Yebra
Laneway Learning's General Manager Maria Yebra has been helping people find hobbies since 2012.
The learning institution offers affordable classes in the heart of the CBD, from print-making to history classes.
-
Faces of CBD: Rod Romero
Filipino-born Rod Romero would recommend Melbourne to anyone who asked him where in the world they should study. His favourite things to do in his adopted city are to go out for coffee and explore by bike.
For this international student, success is about creating a network in Melbourne.
-
Faces of CBD: Christopher Alory
French-born Christopher Alory says Australia is the happiest, most vibrant place, with the most opportunity and international people of the cities he's visited.
The international student has lived in Australia for five years and says other students can benefit from the support networks on offer.
-
QVM doughnuts sweeten the CBD
Queues at the Queen Victoria Market often lead to one of Melbourne’s best-loved treats – a doughnut produced by the same families for 70 years.
The American Doughnut Kitchen was recently recognised in the Lord Mayor’s Small Business Awards.
-
Faces of CBD: Rob Adams
Few people have had a greater impact on Melbourne than City Architect Rob Adams AM, who’s retiring after 40 years.
Since the 1980s, Rob and the City of Melbourne’s urban design team have led the nation in successful city-shaping projects.
-
Pet lovers guide to CBD
There’s no doubt about it, Melburnians love pets. Dog and cat registrations are booming as people seek out loyal companions and exercise buddies, so we’ve put together some top tips for responsible pet owners.
Read on to find out Melbourne’s top dog breeds, how you can help people and pets live in harmony, pet ownership alternatives for short-term residents, the city’s best pet-friendly staycations and more.
-
QVM cheese shop named champion
The world’s first cheese shop that showcases all-Australian artisanal produce has taken out top spot in this year’s Lord Mayor’s Small Business Awards.
Located at Queen Victoria Market, RIPE Cheese is a treasure trove for cheese connoisseurs, offering everything from prosciutto-wrapped treats from Bruny Island to gooey truffle toasties.
-
New CBD hub creates space for gig workers
Gig workers across the city now have a dedicated communal space to take a break and meet others. In time, the program aims to provide a series of permanent staff rooms for gig workers across the CBD. Gig Workers Hub currently operates out of Micro-Labs on Bourke Street, every Thursday and Sunday from 2-5pm.
-
WIRE celebrates 40 years in the CBD
In 1983, a group of Melburnian women shared an ambition to empower women with information, resources and education to help them lead their best lives. Their vision became the Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE). Now, you can access confidential and anonymous support through its phone line, web chat or in person at WIRE'S Walk In Centre on Bourke Street.
-
Our CBD libraries have something for everyone
Our libraries provide a sanctuary of learning, creativity and relaxation across the city. Books are just the beginning of our library services – connect with the community at workshops, unleash your creativity in a makerspace or book one of our many meeting spaces. Visit our CBD or Elizabeth Street pop-up library now.
-
Fresh ideas for neighbourhood trade
The new Melbourne Chinatown Business Association has attracted 115 members from across the hospitality and retail sectors, some with generations-old connections to the iconic precinct.
-
Greening project ideas for communal areas
Imagine that drab stretch of concrete near your apartment or business transformed into a lush oasis with cheerful flowers, hanging vines or a mini orchard. We want to help make your greening ideas a reality.
-
Pro skateboarders coach next-gen athletes
Head to Riverslide and Kensington and skate parks to enjoy welcoming and inclusive skateboarding sessions every week. Supported by top coaches, some participants have Olympic dreams in sight.
-
Seven small businesses named finalists
A cheese toastie expert and an artist turning algae into biodegradable plastic are among the finalists of this year’s Lord Mayor’s Small Business Awards.
-
Rising business doing their bit for the planet
Enjoy music, food, art and culture in the moonlight at RISING from 7 to 18 June. The team has been preparing a practical “12 Rs” framework to help festival staff, artists, audiences, suppliers and partners make green choices.
-
Urban garden oasis grows an inclusive community
As one of the very first residents to move into Melbourne’s social housing addition to the Drill Hall building in 2011, Martin Mulvihill has been instrumental in building a sense of community among its residents and neighbours.
-
Meet some of Melbourne's youngest buskers
Meet Daniel and Jade – some of Melbourne’s youngest buskers. At just 11 and 15 years old, this musical sibling duo is taking the city streets by storm.
-
Green dreams grow with Urban Forest Fund
Watch wildflowers bloom on top of tram stops and see desolate concrete transformed into community gardens with support from our Urban Forest Fund grants.
-
Leading a vision for more inclusion in Melbourne
Melburnians with vision loss became reacquainted with the CBD, in a safe and supported way, at several recent walking tours, organised by Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria (BSRV).
-
Ann-Sofie's CBD balcony with Gardens for Wildlife
Ann-Sofie received a virtual garden visit, hoping to get a bunch of plants to thrive on a 25th floor balcony. Before the visit Ann-Sofie didn’t know anything about native Australian plant life, let alone how to care for it on a balcony.
-
Queer Social, Laneway Learning
Laneway Learning has been running one-off workshops and classes in the CBD for the last decade and now Queer Social is bringing us classes by and for Melbourne’s queer community – creating a safe space for social connection and learning.
-
Making a house a home
If you see someone pushing a trolley packed with toasters and kettles at your local Kmart, give them a wave – they may just be a Melbourne Rotary Club member, purchasing goods for someone experiencing homelessness.
-
It's Family Business
City of Melbourne has partnered with not-for-profit iGen Foundation to provide start-up training for 40 migrant families with a business idea. With a handful of Big Ideas Days coming up late May and open to all, feel free to share the news with local communities.
-
Training to prevent violence against women
Help prevent violence against women and their children in your neighbourhood by taking part in new community training.
-
Storytelling project shapes safer streets
Share your stories of street harassment to help make Melbourne a safer place for everyone.
-
Businesses unite to tackle city safety after dark
Businesses across Melbourne are signing up to a new charter to make the city safer and more enjoyable for everyone after dark.
-
CBD apartment living creates a community
Situated in a tranquil pocket of the CBD, you’ll find one of the most community-orientated apartment buildings in Melbourne.
-
Moving into Munro: new homes opposite QVM
More than 20,000 residents will live on the doorstep of the Queen Victoria Market by 2040.