2025
The conversation
City of Melbourne’s Open Space Strategy recommends expanding and upgrading Chapman Street Reserve in North Melbourne to meet the needs of the fast-growing community.
During this second phase of engagement, the community was asked to share their feedback on a concept design which aims to transform the reserve into a safer, greener and more enjoyable space, while ensuring smooth and efficient movement for bikes, traffic and pedestrians.
Gathering insights
This second phase of consultation ran from 11 March to 8 April 2025.
The community was presented with a concept plan which was designed based on feedback collected during the first phase of consultation (15 April to 13 May 2024).
Feedback was collected via a survey on Participate Melbourne and in-person at two pop up sessions.
Pictures from our pop-up engagement sessions
What we heard
We received 119 submissions to the survey, with 85.71% in support of the proposal, 7.56% unsure, and 6.72% not supportive of the proposal.
Approximately 75 attendees were recorded at the two onsite pop-up sessions. Four individual submissions were received via email, and one individual phoned Council to share their thoughts verbally.
Feedback themes included support for greening, bigger and connected parks, shade, biodiversity and amenities for the community.
We also heard a range of ideas, reflections and suggestions about parking and traffic movement in the area.
Examples of what we heard
Document Library
Impact
The feedback will now be used to inform the final concept plan.
We will also undertake another review of parking in the area to see if more parking bays can be retained.
Next steps
The final concept plan will be presented to the Future Melbourne Committee for endorsement in December 2025.
Chapman Street Reserve Expansion
2024
The conversation
Over four weeks in April and May 2024, Council asked for feedback from the community on how to grow and improve Chapman Street Reserve in North Melbourne.
A high-level concept plan was shared to show an outline of the expansion of the park. We propose consolidating roads to provide more open green space for the community to enjoy, while maintaining traffic, bike and pedestrian movements.
Based on what we heard, we can confirm;
- The park will not be turned into an off-leash dog park. It will remain an on-leash area.
- The proposed relocation and upgrade of the existing school crossing will be included as part of the project
- Carparking numbers will be retained where possible
- Spots to sit in the shade and sun will be prioritised
- Bike routes will be included
- Opportunities to expand the park footprint further will be explored.
Gathering insights
This first phase of engagement ran between 15 April and 13 May 2024.
Postcards with project information were delivered to all properties within 300m of the park.
Two pop-up sessions were hosted in the park where conversations were captured
There was an online survey on Participate Melbourne which asked the community what they would like to see in the park.
Who we reached
Pictures from our pop-up engagement sessions
What we heard
We heard from 260 participants who completed the online survey. We also heard from people who attended the site pop ups to share their thoughts and hear about the project.
Feedback from the community is overwhelmingly supportive of the project.
When asked if they support the proposal to expand the green space at Chapman Street;
- 87% of participants answered yes
- 4% do not support the proposal
- 9% were undecided.
Most people are very supportive of expanding the green space to allow for additional open space the community can enjoy.
Some people shared valid concerns with car parking availability for residents, along with the speed of some cars looking to cut through to Harker Street.
People shared that they do not want to see an off-leash dog park included. Other people highlighted the need for more dog parks in the area generally.
We heard that people would like to see informal play space like logs and rocks for children to play with. As well as trees or hedges to screen the area from the busy Harker Street traffic.
93% of survey participants live, work or frequent the streets around Chapman Street Reserve.
When asked to pick from a list of what they would like to see in the park, additional trees, shade and informal seating rated the highest.
When asked if people feel safe in Chapman Street Reserve, 78% of participants answered yes, 4% answered no, and 18% of participants are not sure.
For further information, see the full consultation summary report.
Document Library
Impact
This information will be used to help develop a draft concept design for the park expansion with consideration to the community's feedback provided.
Next steps
The draft concept plan will be shared with the community for further consultation and feedback later this year.
