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 Kensington.
Engaging with community, listening to what you have told us and then turning your suggestions into actions is a continuous process. Our first community consultation in 2022 asked you to talk about any gaps or issues that you were experiencing.
You highlighted that COVID-19 lockdowns forced us all to live more locally and that these amenities are even more important to you. You told us what you value in your communities, what the challenges and opportunities are and suggestions for shaping and planning the future together.
The priorities listed here reflect the great diversity of voices in the neighbourhood and are the beginning of a cycle of listening that is endorsed by Council’s Neighbourhood Planning Framework.
We’ve listened to you and heard you. We will continue to listen to you and expect over time for recurring themes to emerge and for these local priorities to grow and change. This portal will regularly update what is already happening and what areas we will be exploring further.
For the Wurundjeri, Bunurong, Taungurung, Dja Dja Wurrung and Wadawurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin, the place now known as Melbourne has always been an important meeting place and location for events of political, cultural, social and educational significance. We will ensure that the Traditional Owners’ culture, lore, knowledge, and heritage enrich the city’s growth and development.
What you told us
You would like better acknowledgement of Wurundjeri Traditional Owners and opportunities to learn and connect with their culture and heritage.
We also heard you’d like to see greater use of Woi-wurrung (Wurundjeri) names, signage, language and plantings.
“More connection to the Indigenous heritage. I'm sure the Maribyrnong River was a large part of their lives. I would love to know more about it and for there to be more acknowledgement of it.”
“Indigenous cultural interpretation signage and markings for all CoM public spaces.”
What we’re doing
As part of our Reconciliation Action Plan 2021-23 we are looking for opportunities to include Woi Wurrung language in the naming of spaces in the Kensington area.
We host the YIRRAMBOI Festival every two years providing opportunities for Aboriginal artists to present their continuous and diverse contemporary practices.
We’ll continue to protect, promote and celebrate places and stories of Aboriginal cultural significance across the city, including areas in and around Kensington in consultation with Wurundjeri Traditional Owners.
At this year’s narrm ngarrgu | Melbourne Knowledge Week we launched an Aboriginal Melbourne spatial mapping tool highlighting places and events of Aboriginal cultural significance within the city. An interactive map will be located in Town Hall Commons and available in desktop and mobile versions. This educational resource has been developed with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and supports Council in placemaking and signage.
What we’re doing next
The Macaulay Structure Plan commits to supporting Aboriginal naming of streets, parks and buildings and supporting projects to connect the creek corridor to its Aboriginal heritage.
The Moonee Ponds Creek Strategic Opportunities Plan identifies the need to investigate creative art and naming opportunities along the creek to recognise and celebrate Aboriginal heritage.
October 2023
- On 21 March, Melbourne City Council endorsed a motion in support of the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, and the ‘yes’ campaign for the Constitutional Recognition of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. As part of our ongoing commitment to truth-telling, we have compiled a set of resources about the Voice to Parliament, the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, and the upcoming referendum. We will continue updating these resources as the referendum approaches, including information in multiple languages. We encourage you to bookmark this page to stay up to date. Authorised by Sally Capp in Melbourne on behalf of Melbourne City Council.
- In May, Yirramboi festival brought us an incredible program of First Nations creative exploration for community to experience across the city. In May and June as part of National Reconciliation Week, we hosted a range of events to promote truth-telling, learning, healing and change, including an oration by 2022 Melbournian of the Year, Anotinette Braybrook which is available to view. In July we celebrated National NAIDOC Week and offered a range of activities to embrace and deepen understanding of our Aboriginal history and culture including a Deadly Books Giveaway, NAIDOC in the City event, Finders Keepers Market and more.
February 2023
- Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder, Uncle Dave Wandin, shares the importance of understanding an Acknowledgment of Country and how to deliver it with respect.
- Find out more about Melbourne’s Traditional Owners and Aboriginal peoples’ deep connection to Country.
- Monday 13 February marked the 15th Anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. As part of the ongoing work towards reconciliation, we are in the process of acknowledging, recognising and paying tribute to the Stolen Generations by establishing a marker within the municipality. The Victorian Aboriginal Community – including those who are part of the Stolen Generations and their families – are invited to provide feedback on three potential shortlisted marker locations
What you told us
Some of you said you would like to form a local Reconciliation Action Group.
“Better connection to Aboriginal culture, history, heritage and people…. My wish for Kensington is to have a Reconciliation Action Group.”
What we’re doing
City of Melbourne is committed to our reconciliation journey, because at its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples, for the benefit of all Victorians.
We can help communities connect with Reconciliation Victoria and possibly other Reconciliation Action Groups in Victoria.
We can also support the development and activities of local Reconciliation Action Groups through our community grants programs.
October 2023
- We have supported the new Kensington Reconciliation Action Group with a Connected Neighbourhood small grant to run a National Reconciliation Week film screening, and other activities.
- We're working to consult further with Wurundjeri Traditional Owners to inform our response to concerns about historical display boards in the conference room at Kensington Town Hall. In the interim, we have installed a framed copy of our Declaration of Recognition and Commitment to Aboriginal Peoples, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags in the room, and a warning notice for people looking to book or enter the space.
February 2023
- The Kensington Reconciliation Action Group, comprised of local residents and service providers, continues to meet monthly at the Kensington Neighbourhood House. We're currently working with members of the group and the Kensington Association to address concerns about some display boards at the Kensington Town Hall. For more information about the group, contact the Kensington Neighbourhood House on 9376 6366 or info@kenhouse.org.au
October 2022
- We’re helping support the establishment of a local community-led Reconciliation Action Group for Kensington. Check out the events section of the portal for upcoming meetings and more details.
We will reduce economic and social inequality by ensuring universal access to housing, core services and information.
What you told us
Secure and affordable housing in Kensington is important to you.
Your concerns include the increasing gentrification of Kensington, the need for diverse, affordable housing options especially for people on low incomes and for larger families needing public housing.
You would also like continued support for people in the area experiencing homelessness.
"I would like to see more social housing, more affordable housing of lower density - not the high-rise towers."
What we’re doing
Our Affordable Housing Strategy 2020-2030 commits us to providing more affordable housing in the municipality which will be coordinated through our Homes Melbourne initiative.
The Macaulay Structure Plan outlines a commitment to deliver affordable and diverse housing in the Macaulay urban renewal area.
This would be achieved through amending the planning scheme to require the provision of affordable housing contributions at a rate of 3 per cent - 6 per cent of all floor space, delivering up to 25 per cent affordable housing where land owned by the City of Melbourne is used to develop housing, and supporting partnership between registered community housing organisations, governments, industry, peak bodies and the community to increase the supply of affordable rental housing.
We continue to work with other agencies and our recently established Homes Melbourne to support people experiencing homelessness and help them develop ways to more secure accommodation.
The Make Room project brings together Melbourne’s corporate sector, philanthropists and charities to help fund the project to refurbish City of Melbourne owned property at 602 Little Bourke Street into 50 studio units for people sleeping rough. Extra support services will also be offered to residents while they secure longer term housing.
Construction is scheduled to commence October 2022 and be completed late 2023.
October 2023
- We will encourage short-term accommodation operators to shift their properties onto the long-term rental market to deliver more homes for people wanting to live in Melbourne. At the 29 August Council meeting, Councillors voted to begin consultation to inform the development of new local laws that are designed to encourage the flip of short-term accommodation into long-term rentals. Consultation opened in September for feedback. New regulation is likely to be introduced in February 2024
- We are running a People’s Panel on Affordable Housing in October and November 2023. This panel will include 40 people who are representative of our resident community, to hear from the experts, learn about affordable housing in the community and explore new and innovative ways to truly make Melbourne a city that everyone can call home. Recruitment has begun and randomly selected people who receive an invite can now register for the panel. Outcomes of the panel will be shared to Council and the general public.
- Through one of our grants, Anika Legal developed self-Advocacy guides for renters in 10 priority languages to help local residents experiencing disadvantage navigate changes in rental laws and seek assistance for housing related legal problems.
- 'What you need to know to survive on the streets’ is a short information booklet produced every two months by a group of people experiencing or with lived experience of homelessness, published by our libraries in partnership with Cohealth. Participants have also been supported to learn and care for each other and the community – building social, emotional, and practical skills.
October 2022
- Our Make Room project is another step closer to providing rough sleepers a pathway out of homelessness, with the signing of a lease agreement with Unison Housing.
What you told us
Local library services and digital inclusion programs are valuable to you and a significant source of connection. You told us that the need for these services and resources was especially highlighted during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Several of you said that the North Melbourne Library and Flemington Library (operated by Moonee Valley Council) were not easy to access from parts of Kensington.
You’d like a regular ‘story time’ session especially for families, and access to digital devices and help in learning how to use them.
COVID-19 lockdowns shone a spotlight on the critical importance of having access to devices, and internet services to participate in daily activities and remain connected to community. This was a especially important for older people, culturally diverse communities and people living in public housing.
"A library - need to address this as not easy to access otherwise."
What we're doing
City of Melbourne has six permanent libraries as well as pop-up libraries across the municipality. Many of our library services are available via our online eLibrary including eBooks, audio books, streaming films and music, digital newspaper, magazines and more.
This year we will be piloting a mobile library to help improve local access to library services across the city, especially for vulnerable people. This includes offering a free internet wifi service and support to improve digital literacy and inclusion.
What we’re doing next
We will evaluate the mobile library and look at other ways we can reach more people in the community.
October 2023
- We engaged not-for-profit organisation Lively to deliver digital literacy programs for older people. Lively trains and employs young jobseekers to provide support and connection for older people. It also builds meaningful intergenerational relationships that foster greater understanding and respect. Lively tech helpers provided one-on-one technology training and support for people to use their smartphone, tablet device, laptop or computer. People were supported in their homes, at Connect Cafe session at the Kensington Neighbourhood Centre and Tech Help pop-ups at public housing estates at Carlton, Kensington and North Melbourne. A total of 589 older people took part.
- In June Council considered a report called ‘Improve internet access in City of Melbourne's community facilities and for hard to reach groups’ and agreed to develop a Digital Inclusion Plan. This will include establishing a standard for Wi-Fi at Council facilities and looking at a model for the City of Melbourne to support a device donation scheme, allowing hard to reach groups access to devices.
- Each month City of Melbourne Libraries induct new people to access library makerspaces. These makerspaces provided access to technology, creative infrastructure and programs that support digital literacy and skill development. Libraries deliver specific Digital Literacy workshops to support employment, financial and wellbeing needs. Individuals can also Book a Librarian for a one-on-one digital literacy support program that is tailored to user’s needs. Our Library outreach team also takes part in regular Chatty Café sessions on Thursday afternoons at Kensington Neighbourhood Centre.
February 2023
Book-A-Librarian has kicked off again for 2023 where people can book one on one time to get some digital literacy support with online platforms and use of digital devices.
Our Mel-van is dedicated to bringing free wi-fi, books, games, craft activities, events and educational resources to people across the City of Melbourne who may find it difficult to access our libraries.
We regularly visit different neighbourhoods including Kensington.
The Mel-van also visits parks and festivals and other community gatherings at neighbourhood houses and community centres.
Our libraries have recently launched their own Disability Inclusion and Accessibility Plan with action to improve accessibility to our libraries, services and resources.
October 2022
We've launched Mel-van which provides digital and library access to a range of community members as well as Connect Café sessions providing device and digital support. Older people can also learn how to get started with computers at Kensington Neighbourhood House.
What you told us
Local accessible programs and activities are important for people of all ages to help them feel connected to and supported in their communities.
You’d like to see more free or low-cost activities for young people in Kensington, especially those aged 12-25 years. You suggested a dedicated place or spaces for young people to participate and connect in the neighbourhood.
You’d also like programs and initiatives for older people to help foster connections and reduce isolation.
COVID-19 lockdowns created significant stress in the community, and you see the need for more counselling and family support services for parents and carers.
“I am a ‘younger’ older person and very lonely in Kensington... We need to look after older people better - maybe a volunteer register.”
What we’re doing
Melbourne is a city for all people. We offer a range of services for people throughout various life stages and ages including programs for young people, families and older people:
October 2023
- Support for local young people continued through our partnership with The Drum, which provides inclusive services and programs for young people from all genders, religions, cultural and identity backgrounds. They run a regular weekly session based at the Kensington housing estate.
- For older people we offered a range of programs through the Kensington Neighbourhood Centre including our new weekly Chatty Café activity, gardening group, Tech Connect and more.
February 2023
Our neighbourhood centres for older people (Jean McKendry Neighbourhood Centre, Kensington Neighbourhood Centre and South Yarra Senior Citizens’ Centre), are undertaking the Dementia Friends program, which provides training about dementia, the challenges faced by people living with dementia, and how to help people with dementia remain connected. The centres are being reviewed using Dementia Australia's environmental checklist, in consultation with people living with dementia. We are developing an action plan for the centres to better meet the needs of people living with dementia.Through our neighbourhood grants program we're supporting a small space at 56 Derby St to be used as dedicated space for young people. We're also running free Babywearing Boogie sessions to help new mums connect.
What you told us
You’d like more access to local venues and spaces for community activities, including the toy library, and better access to and community activation of existing spaces such as the Kensington Town Hall. Many of you highlighted that the lack of access to the community hub at Kensington Public Housing estate (unavailable due to COVID-19 ) was an issue for you.
“Chinese community need a place to play Mahjong regularly - used to be in the community hub at the estate but can't be used since COVID. Rec centre is also being developed. No space is an issue preventing us meeting.”
What we’re doing
Kensington Town Hall is available for use by the community and currently hosts many activities run by local groups.
Due to the redevelopment of the Kensington Community Recreation Centre a number of health and wellbeing activities have been relocated and are now being offered from the town hall.
We are looking at ways to provide flexible multi-use spaces across the city for the community to access.
We’re continuing to promote to the Victorian government, the importance of resuming community access to the community hub space at the Kensington Public Housing Estate.
October 2023
- Kensington Neighbourhood Centre held an expression of interest process to help new groups access and activate the space. It’s also running our weekly Chatty Cafe sessions to support access to and activation of the space.
- Our community use of town halls scheme (CUTHS) supports not-for-profit community groups with in-kind support for the use of the Kensington Town Hall and other facilities. We're exploring opportunities for further activation of Kensington Town Hall.
- Access to the community hub space at the Kensington Public Housing Estate has been reinstated with many groups and activities utilising the space again after closure during the pandemic.
What you told us
Spaces for recreation and play in Kensington are valuable to you. You’d like to see more informal and free outdoor recreation spaces, including exercise equipment and half basketball courts or netball courts. Your suggestions to improve JJ Holland Park include improvements to the skate park, lighting for sports ovals, and an electronic scoreboard.
You’d also like inclusive spaces and programs dedicated to women’s only sessions and initiatives where girls and women are supported to use male dominated recreation spaces. This is especially needed for culturally diverse communities.
"More netball courts - an outside court like the basketball one. Nowhere for girls to play like this. It’s highly utilised and hard as girls to ask to use the space too."
What we’re doing
Our Active Melbourne initiative supports health and wellness by encouraging participation in healthy moderate physical activity. Find out about the many free and low cost sport, hobbies and activities you can access, along with our Active Melbourne directory.
We are continually working to ensure our recreation facilities and services support all residents and visitors:
What we’re doing next
October 2023
- Construction of Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre was delayed due to improvement work on contaminated soil. This is now complete and construction is underway.
- We're exploring ways to improve opportunities for women, girls and others who experience barriers to participation in community sport and recreation. To achieve this, we’re developing a Fair Access Policy. Public consultation was also carried out during September and October to better understand the barriers, as well as enablers to inclusion. Find out more about this work and how to get involved.
- City Swimm(h)er, a partnership between us, Islamic Council of Victoria and Australian Muslim Social Services Association, received external funding to pilot women’s only open swim sessions every Saturday afternoon, as well as structured swimming lessons at Melbourne City Baths.
- We provided Connected Neighbourhood Small grant funding to Kensington Junior Soccer Club and Kensington Flemington Colts Cricket Club to help increase their engagement and reach.
February 2023
Construction at Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre was delayed due to the discovery of extensive contaminated soil early in 2022. Soil remediation commenced in November 2022 and is due to take approximately 7 months. We will have a clearer indication of how long the project will be delayed once the soil removal works are complete.
Through our neighbourhood grants programs we're supporting the creation of a new girls football team for Kensington and free Babywearing Boogie sessions to help new mums move and be active.
October 2022
We’ve commenced construction of Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre. Works to demolish the old centre were completed in April followed by excavation and groundworks for the new centre. You can now subscribe for the latest updates on this redevelopment project.
What you told us
Having access to and a supply of, fresh locally produced healthy foods is important to you. You are supportive of local initiatives such as community orchards and street gardens to help provide food locally. You would like opportunities for people to learn how to grow, harvest and cook different foods including edible native plants. You are interested in expanding and improving access to existing community gardens in Kensington.
"Plant edible trees so they can be used as a source of food for people experiencing homeless and people in need."
What we’re doing
Our Community Food Relief Plan 2021-2025 commits us to improving people’s access to food and our food relief services.
Our Community Food Guide is a resource on how to access affordable, fresh and healthy food.
We continue to work with food relief providers to improve access to food relief by vulnerable members of our community. This includes improving local food production by supporting communities to grow their own food.
There are several programs in Kensington including the The Venny and Kensington Neighbourhood House food share pantry that provide access to food and community meals.
We’re planning to implement the Kensington Stock Route Food Walk this year. We’ve helped establish the Kensington Stockyard Garden in addition to many other community gardens and street gardens in Kensington through our grants program.
What we’re doing next
We’re looking to expand the Stockyard Garden further and improve access to the Kensington Community Garden on Westbourne St.
We’re supporting an Indigenous ‘bush foods’ program delivered at the Stockyard Garden with the involvement of Wurundjeri Traditional Owners.
October 2023
- We supported a refresh of the Davis Street Garden through new garden beds and working bee activities. We’re also supporting both the Davis St Garden and Eastwood St garden through Connected Neighbourhood Small grants.
- We’re supporting the Kensington Stockyard Food Garden to run mushroom growing workshops and an upcoming Mushfest event to learn food growing skills and help celebrate their five year anniversary.
- An engagement process was carried out with users of Kensington Community Garden on Westbourne St to explore how access to the gardens could be extended to a broader group of people. In response to the feedback, plans were put in place to improve equity of access at the gardens, including re-designing and increasing the plots available, introducing communal spaces, and upgrades to improve access for people with disabilities or mobility issues.
- Kensington Community Fresh Food Market continues to run on the first Saturday of the month, offering locally grown fresh produce for the community to enjoy for free or by donation.
- We partnered with all tiers of government through the Inner Metropolitan Partnership to promote food security and social cohesion. We have distributed food vouchers through a range of community centres and service providers including Kensington Neighbourhood House and The Venny.
February 2023
We are in the process of reviewing the City of Melbourne Food Policy and during March will be seeking community feedback on the draft food policy via our Participate Melbourne page. We encourage you to have your say in City of Melbourne supporting and promoting a food system that provides good food for all.
We are launching the Grow It Local program in early 2023 for all City of Melbourne community members to get involved in growing food at home. As part of the program, Grow it Local have launched the latest Autumn Seed Service, a patch-to-plate adventure that makes free heirloom seeds and instructional content available to local residents. This free offer is available to the first 100 participants who register at www.growitlocal.com/free-seed-service. Participants will learn to grow from seed-to-spanakopita with Costa Georgiadis via online videos for each stage of the growing journey and support is also available from Grow it Local’s garden guru.
In collaboration with Kensington Neighbourhood House, Unison Housing, The Venny and Transition Town Kensington we’re delivering the Kensington Community Fresh Food market. This is part of a climate justice pilot project focused on improving food insecurity and developing a more resilient local food system. The next market will happen on Saturday 4 March.
We're working with local community members to gauge interest in and help revitalise the Davis Street Garden.
We're reviewing the Kensington Community Garden on Westbourne Street to increase access and help enable more people to use this garden. We had over 67 responses to our online survey, held 3 community pop us and conducted two workshops with community at the end of last year to inform this work.
Through our neighbourhood grants program we're funding mushroom growing workshops at the Kensington Stockyard garden.
Kensington Stockyard garden was also successful in receiving a Living Local grant from the Victorian Government which will fund 16 new garden beds to be installed in February for increased growing space.
We've helped distribute of more than 100 free plants and seedlings to local Kensington community.
October 2022
- We’re delivering an edible food walk along the Kensington Stock Route and recently planted 97 new edible trees including pomegranates, almonds, finger limes, avocados and more.
- We’re collaborating with Kensington Neighbourhood House, Unison Housing, The Venny and Transition Town Kensington to deliver a climate justice pilot project focused on improving food insecurity and developing a more resilient local food system.
- We’ve been supporting the Kensington Stockyard garden to consider plans to expand. We’re also working on a process to help ensure increased community access to the Kensington Community Garden on Westbourne St.
What you told us
You would like new community infrastructure including a new secondary school for the area, a sessional kindergarten and more childcare services.
“My wish for Kensington is for it to stay family focused and to have a local high school.”
What we’re doing
The delivery and operation of primary and secondary schools are the responsibility of the Victorian government. The City of Melbourne can play a role in advocating for new schools and help to work through considerations for locations and planning.
The Macaulay Structure Plan outlines a commitment to work with the Department of Education and Training to identify a site and deliver a secondary school in Macaulay east. It also recommends the delivery of a new community hub on or near Macaulay Road to the west of Moonee Ponds Creek. This will likely comprise a family hub, including community meeting spaces, maternal and child health services, family services and kindergarten facilities.
We manage a number of childcare centres, and offer community-run spaces including the Kensington Community Children’s Co-Op. More information on these childcare options is available here. Further information on other childcare options in the local area you can visit mychild.gov.au
We are committed to helping vulnerable children through State Government programs such as Access to Early Learning (AEL), Early Start Kindergarten and ongoing advocacy for integrated hub developments in new infrastructure across Melbourne.
October 2023
- We’ve worked collaboratively with the Victorian Government and partners to plan for high-quality, climate-adapted urban renewal areas. In Macaulay, we lodged Amendment C417, requesting the Minister for Planning authorise the Amendment for public exhibition.
What you told us
Kensington is a neighbourhood of diverse cultures and people and you see this as a cherished feature to be celebrated and fostered. You’d like to see initiatives to support and encourage inclusion and accessibility across various parts and communities in Kensington.
"Encourage a more inclusive rather than dividing the community into groups based on ethnicity or race."
"May it also continue to be a welcoming community for minorities and disadvantaged."
"To continue to grow as a community with acceptance of all backgrounds."
“Mostly feel safe but…because I'm a girl and my cultural background I am concerned I may be discriminated against or targeted because of these things.”
What we’re doing
We have recently adopted an Inclusive Melbourne Strategy that will increase access to opportunities for all people and help improve cultural safety, accessibility and reduce discrimination. The strategy details how the City of Melbourne will respond to the diversity of religions, cultures, age groups, gender, sexual orientation and ability among the people across the city.
Our Creating Communities of Equality and Respect: Women’s Safety and Empowerment Action Plan 2021-2024 outlines action that can be taken to prevent violence against women.
We provide a broad range of health and support services, programs and resources to assist the community including children and their families, young people, older people, Aboriginal communities, people with a disability, LQBTIQ communities, and culturally diverse communities.
We also support and run many activities to celebrate diversity in our communities including National Reconciliation Week, Cultural Diversity Week activities, Refugee Week and more.
October 2023
- A new translation function was added to Participate Melbourne, supporting users to translate content into the top 10 languages other than English spoken in the municipality.
- Works were completed to improve access at a range of facilities including Kensington Community and Children’s Co-operative. These included changes to doors and door controls, visual indicators, accessible toilets, and hearing augmentation (technology that enables people to access quality audio through their hearing device, which is particularly helpful in places with lots of background noise). In addition, there were also 43 access audits completed and the findings from these will form the basis for future access improvements.
- Our Family Services team has a new inclusion and access officer role to provide inclusive and responsive support for families. The officer will help families from culturally diverse backgrounds access support and services.
- The Lord Mayor’s Iftar dinner was hosted at the Queen Victoria Market. This event strengthened connection amongst the Muslim community and demonstrated Council’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. A social enterprise that employs migrant and refugee women, Meals with Impact, provided the catering. With 80 guests, this year was the largest Lord Mayor’s Iftar dinner to date.
February 2023
- We are renewing and upgrading infrastructure to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, predominantly Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs). This program of works is running ahead of schedule and at the end of January approximately 20 projects have been delivered, equating to over 70% of the program.
- A forum to mark the 30 year commemoration of the Disability Discrimination Act was held on 24 November at Melbourne Town Hall. This was an opportunity for community members to come together to hear and share on how the Disability Discrimination Act has enabled greater access and inclusion for people with disability.
We will prioritise our environment and take urgent action to reduce emissions and waste in order to protect public health, strengthen the economy and create a city that mitigates and adapts to climate change. The City of Melbourne declared a climate and biodiversity emergency in 2019.
What you told us
There is strong community interest in improving the creek and its surrounds. You suggested improving connectivity to the creek, revegetation to attract birds and local wildlife extra trees to make it more attractive for walkers and people riding and a general ‘clean up’ of the area.
"Restoration and protection of Moonee Ponds Creek - let's make this space liveable, healthy, and usable! Let's have more biodiversity in and around that area, where wildlife thrives, and people can enjoy being in nature."
What we’re doing
We have made a strong commitment to improving the Moonee Ponds Creek and its surrounds through development of the Moonee Ponds Creek Strategic Opportunities Plan which was adopted by Council in August 2019. It has been prepared as an advocacy piece:
The Plan builds on and complements the Macaulay Structure Plan and the Arden Structure Plan, both of which were finalised in 2021.
These structure planning processes provide an opportunity to help advocate to realise elements of the Opportunities Plan. This includes progress of initiatives to:
As land ownership along the corridor is complex and fragmented, the implementation of other opportunities range in accordance with the level of collaboration required with State Government landowners and Melbourne Water.
Improving Moonee Ponds Creek is part of the City of Melbourne’s advocacy priorities for this year’s Victorian state election.
We are also an active member of the Moonee Ponds Creek Chain of Ponds Collaboration group which provides a valuable platform to build stronger relationships and understanding between agencies, community and Friends’ groups.
The Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek provides opportunities for the local community to become involved in helping to care for and look after the creek and organises litter clean up days, community planting activities and more.
We purchased land at 70-90 Chelmsford St to prepare for future expanded public open space along the Moonee Ponds Creek corridor.
October 2023
- As part of our continued advocacy to the Victorian Government, we wrote to the Minister of Planning and the CEO of Development Victoria regarding plans to reinstate the Moonee Ponds Creek trail Docklands.
- As of June, the Victorian Government was still reviewing the Draft Moonee Ponds Creek Implementation Plan.
February 2023
- We remain committed to the transformation of Moonee Ponds Creek, and continue to work the Chain of Ponds Collaboration Group to progress short and medium-term projects identified in the Moonee Ponds Creek Strategic Opportunities Plan
What you told us
You’d like to see more education for and support on climate action, such as workshops, events and programs. Many of you don’t feel prepared for disasters that might affect the neighbourhood and are interested in building neighbourhood resilience and preparedness for extreme weather events or disasters. You are also concerned about planning for and preparing for the possibility of flooding in the area.
“My wish for Kensington is to be a leading suburb in mitigating climate change.”
“With the recent flooding in northern NSW I am worried about something similar happening here.”
What we’re doing
We declared a climate and biodiversity emergency in 2019 and are taking bold action on climate change. We’ve committed to zero net emissions by 2040 in addition to a range of other actions and priorities.
Our urban water in the city initiative aims to increase understanding of sustainable water management in our cities and provides resources and ideas to make a difference at home or work.
We also offer a range of environmental education and awareness programs for community including Nature Stewards, our Citizen Forester Program and Gardens for Wildlife.
We’ve also developed a list of ideas on how to act now on climate change and other sustainability actions and resources.
We are pursuing new flood overlay planning controls in the Melbourne Planning Scheme to ensure that future development can withstand major flood events, keeping the community safe.
What we’re doing next
We have a new initiative on Community Disaster Resilience and will look to run programs to help our community be more prepared. We’re keen to understand what types of events, programs and support would be valuable to communities in building neighbourhood resilience for tackling climate change and disasters.
October 2023
- We made progress this year on disaster preparedness and building organisational and community resilience. Community Resilience Assessments were delivered in three of our neighbourhoods including Kensington, where community members shared their resilience priorities.
- With local partners we've supported the development of the Kensington Community Fresh Food market to help tackle food insecurity, climate justice and build neighbourhood systems – more than 600 kilograms of freshly grown local produce has been harvested and distributed to community since the project started in November 2022. We've help create a case study of this partnership approach to inform future resilience work.
- We’re committed to reducing the threat of extreme urban heat for all, particularly vulnerable people. We are working to create a ‘heat safe city’ with our goal that the city provides places of respite for residents, workers and visitors during extreme heat events. Earlier in the year we consulted with community on heat health priorities and ways we can create a heat safe city. This feedback is helping us develop heat safe city principles and advocacy positions which will guide actions for future summers, such as design of streetscapes and open space, location of shading and services to support vulnerable community members. Keep an eye on the Heat Safe City page page for further updates.
- Work is well underway to replace the Stubbs Street pump station and increase drainage capacity and help reduce flooding in low-lying areas of Kensington. Work is expected to be fully completed next year.
February 2023
- We’ve become one of six cities around the world to appoint dedicated Chief Heat Officers to raise awareness about extreme heat risk, provide local leadership and collaborate to deliver solutions. We’re currently delivering Heat Health Preparedness seminars with a range of community groups across February and March. We're also working on developing a plan to make the city safer from the impacts of heat and will be engaging with people who may be vulnerable to the experiences of heatwaves across each neighbourhood.
- We’re continuing to roll out our four-year Major Initiative Prepare Melbourne to engage and prepare residents and communities to enhance their resilience to hazards, disasters and the health impacts of climate change. Over October and November last year we delivered a pilot project for the Southbank neighbourhood to better understand the physical and social vulnerabilities our communities face to disasters and how we can build a more resilient community. Kensington and then Carlton will be the next neighbourhoods to participate in community resilience assessments during March to May. Look out for information on Participate Melbourne on how to get involved in the coming month. To be better prepared for challenges that may come your way, consider downloading the Get Prepared App from Australian Red Cross.
- We’re replacing the Stubbs Street pump station to increase drainage capacity and reduce flooding events in low-lying areas of Kensington. This involves installing a new underground pump station in the Smith Street carpark. Once complete, the new pump station will have almost four times the capacity of the existing station. With excavation works now complete, next steps include pouring the base slab and installing the walls of the new underground pump station. We anticipate that the project will be complete by mid-2023.
- We're preparing a submission to Melbourne Water's Maribyrnong River Flood Review and encourage interested community members to take part.
October 2022
- We’re developing a Climate Justice pilot focused on improving food security for vulnerable communities in Kensington.
- We’re currently consulting with community and building industry on how we can make our buildings zero carbon.
What you told us
Recycling and reducing waste is important to you. You’d like a local repair hub, makerspace or a tool library to be able to fix or upcycle items. You are also interested in community activities focusing on reducing waste locally both for residents and businesses. More promotion of community composting facilities and centralised waste options is also desired.
"Men’s shed” - somewhere you could go to use tools and equipment that you wouldn’t usually have, especially for people living in apartments."
“More centralised recycling... at the moment I take soft plastics to RedCycle…bread tags and elastic bands to Kenso Neighbourhood House, Ewaste to Kenso council building, old light globes to Bunnings West Footscray. It should be central!”
What we’re doing
Our Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy outlines a vision and range of actions to help become a zero-waste city.
We’ve supported the piloting of a pop up repair hub in Kensington and the upcoming trial of a bike repair hub through our grant programs. We’ve also helped establish community compost hubs locally, including at the Kensington Town Hall.
We’re currently focused on rolling out a food and garden waste service across the city – including in parts of Kensington to multi-unit dwellings and a pilot program for high rise buildings.
We’re establishing a waste champions program to help people better understand and promote positive behaviour change on waste.
What we’re doing next
Our next steps involve the development of Circular Economy Guidelines to support community projects and innovations that promote repair, reuse and recycling.
We’re also considering glass recycling options including communal centralised glass recycling.
October 2023
- We're undertaking a circular economy precinct pilot study to better understand benefit and opportunities for investment into recycling and waste reduction. Several precincts were investigated with Kensington selected as the area to focus further study and modelling on.
- Through our Connected Neighbourhoods Communities Small grant we're supporting community led composting initiatives, including improving practices and engagement activities around compost hubs in Kensington.
- The Kensington repair hub continues to run regular monthly sessions to fix items and share skills. The Waste Wisdoms program led by Unison Housing, Kensington Neigbourhood House, Transition Town Kensington with support from other local organisations received Sustainability Victoria funding to continue and expand their work in and around the housing estate.
February 2023
- We continue to provide a wide range of services for reusing, recycling or disposing of unwanted household items and materials. Across our municipality 11,400 combined tonnes were collected from various sources including communal recycling bins, cardboard bins and residential collections between October 2022 and January 2023.
- We've continued to support the delivery of the Kensington repair hub and bike repair hub trial over October, November and December. More dates to come for 2023.
October 2022
- We supported the delivery of monthly community repair hub events in August, September and October and helped fund a community bike repair hub pilot launching in October 2022
- We also continued the rollout of the Food Organics and Green Organics (FOGO) high-rise trial.
What you told us
Spending more time in and around green spaces can help our physical and mental health. You value this too and would like to see increased greening across the neighbourhood especially on residential streets, median strips and other public spaces. Several of you want to see native plants to help with rainwater runoff retention, biodiversity and cooling green canopy effect.
"There are a lot of parks, but no native planted out gardens."
“Community planting and gardening focusing on native aboriginal plants and wildlife and community education.”
“I'd love to see our neighbourhood's medians used for more than grass - growing plants, food, composting.”
What we’re doing
We’ve developed an Urban Forest Strategy and delivering on a Kensington Urban Forest Precinct Plan for the neighbourhood. We will be renewing this plan in the coming years with further opportunities for community engagement and input.
Our Nature in the City Strategy also outlines how we will protect and enhance ecosystem health and biodiversity in our city.
Recent projects include adding trees to Scarborough Place in Kensington. We’re also increasing tree species diversity by trialling a food walk project along the Kensington Stock Route.
We also supporting community with further greening and innovative ideas through our Street Garden program, Gardens for Wildlife and Urban Forest Fund.
Our Habitat grants projects have also helped support local greening projects in Mawbey Street and Altona Street in Kensington.
October 2023
- We continued our tree planting program with 2554 trees planted this year. There are more than 80,000 trees in the public realm, and our canopy cover was mapped at 25 per cent this year. In Kensington we undertook the following work:
We released our new Greening Melbourne permit system which enables community-led greening on council-owned footpaths. Visit Greening Melbourne to read more about this initiative.
February 2023
In Fink Street we have added four new raised tree plots and helped improve growing conditions and tree protection through raised kerbs and stainless steel tree protection hoops. On Tennyson Street we’ve undertaken a revegetation project planting 400 Australian native understory species.
October 2022
We recently planted 21 new trees and understory at Scarborough Place and Durham Street, providing canopy, biodiversity and 89 square metres of permeable surfaces for natural absorption and filtration of rainwater.
What you told us
Investing in and advocating for green energy is important to you. .You'd like to see local e-vehicle infrastructure and other sustainability initiatives.
"More investment in green energy production and use, rebates for solar panels and batteries."
What we’re doing
We declared a climate and biodiversity emergency in 2019 and are taking bold action on climate change. We’ve committed to zero net emissions by 2040 in addition to a range of other actions and priorities.
We became the first capital city council in Australia to be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy in 2017 through the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project. By continuing our innovation in renewable energy, Power Melbourne will play a lead role in reaching our ambition to become a whole city powered by 100 per cent renewables by 2030.
We’re also committed to zero emissions transport, including supporting transition to electric vehicles, as outlined in our Transport Strategy 2030 and Climate Change Mitigation Strategy.
We’re pursuing higher environmental standards through our proposed planning scheme amendment C376 Sustainable Building Design. This proposed amendment will ensure new buildings are future proofed and support our vision of a zero emissions city by 2040.
The Macaulay Structure Plan outlines a commitment to preparing planning controls for the Macaulay urban renewal area to ensure best practice environmental sustainability and design. This includes water and energy efficient buildings, use of renewable energy sources and increasing urban greening as well as high levels of active, sustainable and low-emissions transport use, including provision for off-street charging of electric vehicles.
We’re looking at ways we can further support our residents across Melbourne to make their homes more comfortable, healthy, affordable and environmentally sustainable to live in. Some resources are available for residents here.
October 2023
- Our Power Melbourne project will install a network of neighbourhood batteries around the city to help renters, people living in apartments, and those running small businesses access more affordable renewable energy. Last year we consulted with community on where the first batteries could be installed, and the first three locations were approved by Council: Library at the Dock in Docklands, Boyd Community Hub in Southbank, and Council House 2 in CBD. We identified further areas for future neighbourhood batteries and ran a city-wide online survey and pop-ups. A team of Community Champions also explored the topic with their personal and professional networks. This helped us understand how people feel about potentially having a neighbourhood battery in their area, the kinds of benefits they want to see, and their location ideas. Follow Power Melbourne for more updates.
- More than 150 kW of battery capacity has been installed across the municipality, primarily at residential properties in Kensington, North Melbourne, Parkville and Carlton. Capacity figures were taken from data updated by the Australian Energy Market Operator in March.
February 2023
- We're working to make it easier to access affordable renewable energy, Our Power Melbourne project will install a network of neighbourhood batteries around the city to help renters, people living in apartments, and those running small businesses access more affordable renewable electricity. Late last year we consulted with community on ideas for where neighbourhood batteries should be installed and how we design retail plans with an energy retail partner. Keep an eye on the Power Melbourne page for opportunities to get involved in the next stage of engagement activities, opening soon.
October 2022
- We’re currently undertaking community consultation on our Power Melbourne project which will install a network of neighbourhood batteries around the city. The batteries will be linked to a retail electricity plan to help residents and businesses access more affordable renewable electricity.
We will focus on driving economic recovery and creating the conditions for a strong, adaptive, sustainable and thriving future city economy supported by a diverse mix of industries and jobs that provide dignity and opportunity.
What you told us
Many of you would like a greater variety and more diverse shops in Kensington, especially along Macaulay Road and Bellair Street. As well as this, you want the key shopping strips in the area to be made more attractive to businesses and locals. You also suggested café and coffee cart options for Kensington Banks and JJ Holland Park.
Some of you want to see a co-working space opened in Kensington, to encourage connection within the community.
"A beautification of the Macaulay Rd shopping strip, especially renovating the burnt -out shops. More variety of shops. No more hairdressers or real estate agents."
"I would love for it to be more of a precinct, similar to Yarraville, with a shopping square and more restaurants… perhaps have no traffic on Macauley Rd and make it solely pedestrian friendly."
"More live music venues. More cosy wine bars with quality wine."
"News agents, banks, better supermarkets, butchers, health food shops, seafood shops, and sustainable living stores."
What we’re doing
Through our Business Precinct Program 2021-25 we’re empowering local trader associations like Kensington Business Association to activate local retail precincts in Macaulay Road and Bellair Streets. Late last year the Association activated Bellair Street with a Christmas craft fair, and will explore piloting the closure of the road for other events again this year.
From April 2022 we’re undertaking improvements to some sections on Bellair Street including improving the existing mural, footpath improvements and drainage upgrades.
We are working on a Racecourse Road Strategic Opportunities Plan, with the City of Moonee Valley and the Department of Transport, to improve safety, amenity and greening, helping to increase the vibrancy and attractiveness of this shopping strip.
What we’re doing next
We welcome new opportunities to improve local shopping strips and through the Kensington Business Association can help connect local businesses to community feedback and gain insight into potential enhancements and new retail options.
October 2023
- We’re funding Kensington Business Association for business development initiatives, consumer advertising, marketing and promotion campaigns and local activations that promote the Kensington trader area to visitors.
- Our business concierge team had 8089 contacts with business across the City of Melbourne between February and September.
- We responded to community concerns about lack of compliance to the Tobacco Act in local shopping strips.
February 2023
Our Christmas Collective program is an initiative as part of the Christmas Festival. One of the objectives is to increase visitation and spend supporting the economy. A total of $74,726.00 in funding was allocated to 15 businesses/groups to deliver an event or activity. As part of this program the Discover Kensington Christmas Fair was held in December 2022 with a street part on Bellair Street free Christmas activities, musical performances, giveaways and more.
Our Christmas Decoration program was also rolled out to Kensington to support festive celebrations and appeal of local shopping strips.
October 2022
We recently undertook significant works to Bellair St to improve drainage, kerb and channel infrastructure and footpath. As part of these works, we restored the colourful street mosaics created as part of a community art project in 1996.
What you told us
Ensuring support for small local business is important to you and you would like grants, rent and rate relief and other initiatives to help with this. You also highlighted that supporting employment pathways was needed especially for young people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
"Small businesses, like restaurants and bars being able to survive without overheads (like rent and rates) pushing them out of business. Way too many empty shops on the main street."
What we’re doing
We provide support for businesses through grants, mentoring, workshops, extended outdoor dining initiatives, regular newsletters, sharing data and research and more.
We are strengthening Melbourne's economic recovery, through precinct program support, delivering an enhanced business concierge service and supporting the night-time economy.
What we’re doing next
We can further help community organisations to explore opportunities with local business and precinct associations around employment pathways. Find out more about our services and support for business.
October 2023
- Our small business grants program supports new businesses to get started and existing businesses to expand and grow. This year we have a special focus on supporting small businesses that enhance the city’s vitality and increase the occupancy rate of shopfronts across the municipality.
- Inclusive employment program Game Changers, supported eight young people to gain employment at our recreation facilities. This program, delivered in partnership by North Melbourne Football Club's The Huddle and YMCA, provides free support to young people seeking employment, including resume writing, interview practice, career planning and goal setting. The program has helped improve diversity in the recreation facilities’ workforce with 26 per cent living in the City of Melbourne, 25 per cent born overseas, 15 per cent identifying as being a part of the LGBTQI+ community, and 9 per cent with a disability.
February 2023
We’ve launched the Melbourne Economy Snapshot, a free seasonal activity guide designed to help businesses make data-led decisions by understanding Melbourne’s new rhythm.
The City of Melbourne’s social enterprise grants program supports social enterprise businesses to thrive in Melbourne. The program supports startups and existing enterprises which are expanding or developing new products or services with a distinctly social purpose. Applications are currently open and close at 2pm Friday 10 March 2023.
Between October 2022 and January 2023 our Business Concierge service have had 5000 interactions with businesses across the municipality. The range of enquiries have been simple support requests over the phone and email, face to face interactions and supporting new businesses in their start up.
October 2022
We’re providing the Kensington Business Association with more than $60,000 of funding this financial year, and offering city activation grants, a Christmas activation fund and shopfront activation program. Through the Lord Mayor’s Small Business Awards and workshop, we recently recognised the achievements of local business owners including Redina Real Estate in Kensington.
We will celebrate and protect the places, people and cultures that make Melbourne a unique, vibrant and creative city with world-leading liveability.
What you told us
You value opportunities to spend time in green spaces and love the parks and open spaces in Kensington. You want to see more of them - especially in the Macaulay renewal area between Moonee Ponds Creek and Craigieburn railway line.
"Bigger parks with areas that are free from sports devoted areas. So just nice, landscaped space that people can just be in."
"Green space / Recreational space along Moonee Ponds creek near Macaulay Station and under city link."
"I like it as it is! I'd love to see ongoing investment in green spaces."
What we’re doing
Our vision for the Macaulay urban renewal area includes a high-quality open space network, to be realised though expanding existing open spaces, revitalising the Moonee Ponds Creek corridor, providing new open space on larger land holdings and reallocating space within the street network.
The Macaulay Structure Plan outlines the delivery of new public open space adjacent to the Moonee Ponds Creek corridor, the upgrade and expansion of Robertson St Reserve and investigating opportunities for larger open space west of the Upfield rail corridor.
In 2016 we opened the new park adjacent to Kensington Station.
What we’re doing next
We’re working to enhance parks in the neighbourhood through the recent oval surface renewal and redevelopment of the play space at JJ Holland Park, Stock Route Food Walk project and more.
Last year we purchased land at 70-90 Chelmsford St in Kensington to transform it into public open space for local people to enjoy. We will be consulting and working with community to help develop plans for this open space further.
October 2023
- We began early-stage design investigations for the Chelmsford Street open space in Kensington. We're preparing to consult with community to inform planning for the park later this year
What you told us
Participating in arts and cultural activities provide great opportunities for community connection and cultural exchange.
You value these activities too and would like to see more arts and cultural spaces and activities in Kensington for all ages. You want local exhibitions, music events and concerts, more performance venues and community art galleries.
"More public art and more events and activities like musical performances and concerts, cinemas and art exhibitions, and greater support for the arts generally.”
“We also need some creative spaces in Kensington, galleries, music venues and places that might encourage/support local artists.”
What we’re doing
City of Melbourne recognises the value of arts opportunities in communities, and fosters this by encouraging and funding artists, promoting participation, and bringing art and people together.
We support arts and cultural activities in Kensington through:
What we’re doing next
We’re exploring opportunities to creatively activate precincts across the municipality including Kensington.
The Macaulay Structure Plan recommends the delivery a new community hub on Arden Street to the west of North Melbourne Recreation Reserve. This will potentially include library services, creative and artist maker spaces, and multi-purpose bookable rooms.
October 2023
- We're supporting Kensington Neighbourhood House with a grant to deliver From the HeART intergenerational art activities to local people and groups in Kensington.
- We’re also supporting our talented creative community through our Annual Arts Grants Program. The 2024 funding will celebrate 102 excellent one-off projects that will employ over 1,000 artists and attract 360,000 people. All art forms have been supported with an investment of $950,000 by Council. During September we opened grants for our 2024 Aboriginal Arts projects and quick response arts grants that will seed small scale projects and help artists to test and develop new creative ideas. We look forward to these being visible over the next 4 months after approval in November.
- Now or Never festival was delivered across our city for 17 days with a wide range of artistic exhibitions on offer. We welcomed approximately 135,000 people from all around Victoria to enjoy the exhibitions.
February 2023
Melbourne will be filled to the brim with dozens of new creative offerings, thanks to new funding to support and grow our vibrant arts sector.
We have allocated more than $175,000 across 49 projects through our 2022 Quick Response Arts Grants program – the only fast turnaround micro-grant program offering this level of support in Australia.
The latest round of the program will support nearly 350 artists to develop and present their work in public – including live theatre, dance, music, films, written pieces and visual art.
Through our connected community grant program we're supporting Kensington Neighbourhood House to deliver an intergenerational, community art project focused on rebuilding social connections following pandemic restrictions. It will provide a creative focus for the Kensington community and allow participants to explore and reflect on their sense of belonging post pandemic- developing confidence, pride and a sense of resilience.
What you told us
Kensington has a unique village feel and you told us it was important to protect this feature and local heritage.
Some of you are concerned the size and scale of new developments in Kensington are negatively impacting local character and liveability.
"Essential to preserve its rich heritage buildings and streetscapes, the industrial vibe, while making it a desirable place to live with a great community buzz and local shopping."
“Maintaining the view of the sky.... so many high-rise buildings on Macaulay Road will create shadows and wind tunnels. I support additional housing in Kensington - makes sense given we have the infrastructure but feel this needs to be better managed by CoM.”
What we’re doing
The City of Melbourne’s Heritage Strategy 2013 sets out our plan to protect our city’s heritage buildings, places and objects. It has been developed to ensure the city’s rich traditions and memories are celebrated and our places and objects are identified and protected.
Heritage protection has been in place across many Kensington places since 1985. In recent years we have updated heritage controls, both in those parts of Kensington inherited from the City of Moonee Valley north of Macaulay and Epsom Roads (new controls came into force in July 2015) and in the Arden-Macaulay urban renewal area (new controls came into force in July 2016).
The recently endorsed Macaulay Structure Plan outlines a commitment to ensuring that development is responsive to local context and character, and identifies character buildings and encourages their retention.
October 2023
- The Excellent City Series of forums explored what design excellence means if you live in, work in, learn in or visit Melbourne. A key objective of these forums was to engage directly with the community to hear their perspectives, to inform and improve outcomes in the built environment.
- Melbourne’s heritage is a rich tapestry of Aboriginal and much later colonial and contemporary stories. We are celebrating all things heritage across the city and invite you to join us. Share your stories, photos and videos celebrating #timelessmelbourne. There are plenty of ways to get involved including self-guided walking tours, learning about history of neighbourhoods and exploring the arts and heritage collection.
October 2022
- We are bringing about land use and built form outcomes of the Macaulay Structure Plan through a Planning Scheme Amendment, and introducing a Development Contributions Plan to deliver infrastructure identified in the Macaulay Structure Plan.
- Councillors discussed the Municipal Planning Strategy and Draft City Spatial Plan at the 19 July Future Melbourne Committee meeting. The strategy plots how our neighbourhoods will look and feel over the next 10 to 20 years – with a focus on affordable housing, tackling climate change, creating jobs and delivering sustainable high-quality development and design.
What you told us
Due to the popularity of pets in the area, particularly dogs, some of you would like to see more dog off-leash spaces. Others highlighted the need for more clarity, education and signage on the use of existing dog off-leash space specifically at JJ Holland Park. You also said that there was a need for more responsible pet ownership education, enforcement of dog on lead practices and better management of cats in the area.
"There's lots of dogs - would like to see less dogs or more areas for them, and owner education to manage them properly."
"Dog parks! There's only JJ Holland which is mixed use. There are so many dog owners in Kenso we really need a dedicated place, and Riverside Park would be perfect."
What we’re doing
We’ve been consulting with the community on the creation of more dog off-leash areas and exploring the possibility of a space at Riverside Park in Kensington.
This would be in addition to the dog off-leash area currently at JJ Holland Park.
In response to the rise of pet ownership across the municipality we’re developing opportunities for pet ownership education programs.
October 2023
- We held three ‘dogs in the park’ events in Princess Park, Fawkner Park and Riverside Park, chosen based on the results of an online poll, with these locations being the most favoured.
February 2023
- We are currently working on developing 'dogs in the park' events in neighbourhoods. These events, in partnership with behaviour trainers from the Lost Dogs' Home aim to raise awareness and provide education of dog behaviour, enrichment and responsible dog ownership to improve dog and human experiences in public places.
October 2022
- We recently created a new (timed off-leash) dog off-leash area at Riverside Park in response to strong community support.
We will plan and design for the safety and wellbeing of those who live, visit, work and do business in Melbourne, regardless of their background.
What you told us
You see that there are a number of issues in the area relating to traffic management. Your suggestions include improvements to reduce and slow traffic in Kensington, reducing heavy vehicles on local roads and improving the management of parking spaces.
"Would be great to reduce traffic around the shops."
"Need to encourage more parking turnover along Bellair and Macaulay Roads."
"More parking available for older people as I'm always unable to find a parking space when coming to Kensington."
“Slow down the traffic, particularly rat runners moving between Smithfield Road and Dynon road. Speed humps along The Crescent to slow traffic and protect pedestrians.”
What we're doing
Our Transport Strategy 2030 commits to reducing speed limits on all local streets plus key arterial roads to keep people safe in places where significant volumes of people are walking and riding bikes.
We’ve introduced lower 40km/hour speed limits across most local roads in Kensington and will look to identify ways to further reduce speed limits on key roads and introduce other changes to deter heavy vehicles and improve safety for all road users.
What we’re doing next
We’re exploring new technology to help better manage parking spaces and looking to develop a new parking plan for our city.
We’re working to reduce traffic by supporting people to use other forms of transport - see related priorities around active transport and public transport.
October 2023
- Community consultation on the Parking and Kerbside Management Plan was carried out from March to April. Overall, there was a high level of support for the direction of the draft plan. There was also strong support for a strategic and data-led approach to kerbside management and equitable and inclusive access to kerbside space. Council endorsed the plan in May and we're currently implementing parking improvements in the CBD. We'll shortly be engaging with residents and businesses, and improving parking across our neighbourhoods.
What you told us
You want more people to be able to safely walk and cycle around Kensington and surrounding areas. To help make this happen you want improvements made to footpaths, bike lanes and street infrastructure.
You suggested an accessible pedestrian crossing over the railway line at Arden St, improved bike lanes on Macaulay Road, Kensington Road and Racecourse Rd, as well as making Bellair St more pedestrian-friendly and improving pedestrian crossings on Macaulay Rd.
Another suggestion was providing access through Flemington Racecourse to support safer travel to the showground shopping precinct.
“The bridge crossing… is appalling and dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians (especially with young children). Needs urgent work to improve safety.”
“Macaulay Road shops and surrounds must become far more pedestrian friendly.”
“My wish for Kensington is to be more bicycle friendly (Racecourse Road is terrifying!)”
What we're doing
City of Melbourne is fast-tracking the delivery of 40 kilometres of protected bike lanes and pedestrian improvements across the city, including new bike lanes for Macaulay Rd in Kensington.
Strategic cycling corridors along Kensington Rd, Epsom Rd and Racecourse Rd are also identified in our 2030 Transport Strategy.
We are working on a Racecourse Road Strategic Opportunities Plan, with the City of Moonee Valley and the Department of Transport, to improve safety, amenity and urban forest canopy along Racecourse Road.
What we’re doing next
A pedestrian study of Kensington will begin in 2022 to identify potential further improvements to footpaths in Kensington.
October 2023
- We are proposing to install protected bike lanes along Arden Street and Macaulay Road in North Melbourne and Kensington. These works are part of our program to deliver a network of new, protected bike lanes across the municipality, providing a safer journey for all bike riders and road users. In April and May we undertook community consultation to help refine our plans.
- We launched Biketober 2023, a bike encouragement program, in collaboration with RACV, Banyule, Glen Eira, Bendigo and Ballarat. Biketober will run through October and is open to businesses and community members for free.
- We are working through the M9 Active Transport Behaviour Change Working Group, made up of other inner-Melbourne councils, to support collaboration on sustainable transport behaviour change initiatives.
February 2023
- We are working on a study which identifies a range of road safety and pedestrian improvements projects in Kensington and North Melbourne. We convened a community reference group for each of these neighbourhoods to inform this work. Further consultation with the broader community to help prioritise projects will take place over Feb – March 2023.
- Pedestrian and bicycle safety has been enhanced on Macaulay Road at the intersection with Barnett Street, where a raised priority crossing has been installed. We’re installing zebra crossings at the intersection of Epsom Rd and Market St.
- We’re working to deliver protected bike lanes along Macaulay Rd and Arden St and expect to consult with community shortly to help finalise these plans.
October 2022
- We convened a community reference group and are developing plans for approximately $450,000 worth of projects to be delivered in 2023/24, which prioritise the improvement of pedestrian safety and walkability in Kensington.
- Later this financial year, we’re also expecting to construct bike lane safety upgrades on Macaulay Rd and Arden St, a new raised zebra crossing across Epsom Road at Market St, and a new zebra crossing across Barnett St at Macaulay Road.
What you told us
You would like to see improvements to South Kensington and Macaulay train stations to enhance safety, function and appeal.
Some have suggested level crossing removals near Macaulay Station and Kensington stations. Others were not in favour of this for the Cragieburn line believing the congestion helped slow down and deter some traffic.
Others wanted to see more frequent train and bus services.
"South Kensington station is awful! I'd like to see it upgraded. The platform is so narrow, but also there is not enough shelter or seating. The tunnel is leaky, prone to flooding and dirty."
“South Kensington was voted the worst station in Melbourne in 2020 and absolutely deserved first place. Nothing positive to be said about it.”
"Level crossing removal at Kensington station is needed too...Traffic is very congested on Macaulay Rd and Bellair because of this."
What we’re doing
The Victorian government through the Department of Transport and its agencies is responsible for the delivery of public transport and improvements to train stations and railway infrastructure.
The City of Melbourne can play a role in highlighting community feedback and further advocating for improvement to these stations, railway infrastructure and public transport services.
The Macaulay Structure Plan commits to advocate for grade separation of the Upfield line, for short term and larger upgrades to Macaulay and Flemington Bridge stations, as well as advocacy for increasing the frequency of train, tram and bus services in the area.
We have made and will continue to make advocacy efforts to improve South Kensington station.
Metro Tunnel have worked with the City of Melbourne and local community to design improvements around South Kensington station. These include additional open space, bike parking, artwork, landscaping and expanded station forecourt.
October 2023
- As part of Metro Tunnel works, the precinct around South Kensington Station is being upgraded. Work has almost finished near the western tunnel entrance with new landscaping, shelter, seating and decking, plus extra bike storage hoops.
February 2023
- Works to construct Metro Tunnel’s western entrance and the Childers Street public spaces and pocket park are underway. Find out more at the Kensington Big Build.
What you told us
Community cultural and social connection is important to you and you’d like to see this encouraged in Kensington through more local community events and activities, especially in local parks, open spaces, shopping strips and community venues.
Events you would love include the return of the annual Kensington Festival, street markets, park activities with music or food trucks, Christmas parades and smaller resident-led events like street parties and barbecues.
"More street festivals, multicultural festivals, billy carts races etc not much happening anymore though."
"Can be lonely in Kensington - I am Italian would be great to have it as a space like a piazza where people know they can go, connect with others and hang out, have it activated."
"Stockyard community garden - would be great to have craft market or other market there. A place on Sunday where people can come, put food and music on."
What we’re doing
We support the delivery of community events through our Events Partnership Program and community grant program.
Our Business Precincts Program also supports local business associations to run activations, such as the recent Christmas craft fair in Bellair St.
What we’re doing next
If you’re interested in being involved in planning or delivering community activations and events big or small, please reach out and share your ideas with us.
October 2023
We're running weekly Chatty Cafe sessions, a new social connection program at Kensington Neighbourhood Centre every Thursday from 1-3pm. The free sessions offers a chance to connect with other local people, light refreshments and a range of activities from the Melbourne library teams, arts and more.
Our Connected Neighbourhoods Small Grant program provides funding to support connection and community-led responses to the neighbourhood priorities. In the last financial year, 16 were funded in Kensington, including:
February 2023
- Through our Connected Communities grants we're supporting a number of community connection projects and activities:
Growing Stronger Communities Together - this project will provide a new outdoor gathering and bbq space at the Kensington housing estate.
Little Kenspace - The DRUM Youth Committee will design and furnish a vacant office space at 56 Derby St corner office space to be used by young people.
Baby Wearing Boogie - these events will help new parents connect with others, move their bodies, have some fun and enrich their babies lives with new sensory experiences.
Growing Kensington's Community Food Forest Together - will help rebuild a team of volunteers to refresh this food garden based at the Kensington Housing estate.
Mushroom Growing Workshop Series - provide access to four mushroom growing workshops at the Kensington Stockyard Food Garden during 2023. The workshops will provide an opportunity for social connection and community building where participants will learn how growing mushrooms can be cheap, easy, and a sustainable way to produce their own fresh mushrooms at home and in the community.
From the HeART - Kensington Neighbourhood House will deliver an intergenerational, community art project focused on rebuilding social connections following pandemic restrictions. It will provide a creative focus for the local community and allow participants to explore and reflect on their sense of belonging post pandemic- developing confidence, pride and a sense of resilience.
October 2022
- We’re supporting the delivery of a number of community-led initiatives including through our Community Grants Program. This includes the creation of a new barbecue social space at the Kensington Housing Estate, and a ‘Green Time not Screen Time’ project with families living in public housing, to reconnect with and experience time in nature after COVID lockdowns.
What you told us
Unclean or poorly maintained amenities can make people feel less safe and feel that the area is being neglected.
You would like to see improvements to local amenity and safety through graffiti removal and the encouragement of street art to help combat increased graffiti. You want litter removed, and more regular street cleaning especially along Macaulay Road.
To help you feel more safe and encourage you to use public amenities you’d like additional lighting, seating, drinking fountains, bins, undercover outdoor shelters in parks, odour reduction from nearby industry, cleaner public toilets and more CCTV in public areas.
"Some safety measures from Macaulay Train Station, perhaps some better lighting, so it feels safer to walk into Kensington from there at night time."
What we’re doing
We’ve established a Rapid Response Clean Team that responds swiftly to requests for street cleaning and graffiti removal.
The Rapid Response Clean Team conducted a two week blitz in Kensington from early to mid-May. You can report unwanted graffiti or a street cleaning issue here.
We continue to work with Victoria Police, especially through the local Police Community Consultative Committee and other agencies to deliver a range of initiatives that improve safety.
What we’re doing next
We continue to monitor and plan for improvements to amenities. We are keen to understand more about where you think there are opportunities and needs for further amenities in Kensington.
October 2023
- We continue to expand our Rapid Response Clean Team to fast-track graffiti removal, dumped rubbish, cigarettes, street sweeping and syringe collection across the city. Residents, workers and visitors continue to play an important role in reporting graffiti and rubbish across the city using Council’s QR code reporting system. From January to August this year we received 25,549 requests to respond to graffiti and cleaned more than 70,000 square metres of surfaces of graffiti.
- A ‘drug safety in the city’ flyer has been developed to support businesses and key stakeholders.
- We hosted the Melbourne Licensees Forum in June, where licensed venues shared information and discussed matters impacting them. This forum shared learnings and information about the late night liquor license freeze and public intoxication law reform
October 2022
- We hosted a Safety Summit in August, and brought together government agencies, service providers, resident groups and other community members to discuss safety in the city.
- The Clean Melbourne Graffiti Blitz ran from 6 March to 30 June to combat illegal graffiti and tagging, improve public spaces and ensure the city is sparkling to entice people in. Our campaign to tackle illegal graffiti continues, with a record $28.2 million investment in our Budget, including $1.5 million to expand the Rapid Response Clean Team.
- We welcomed community feedback on our draft Design and Construction Standards from 17 May to 15 June. Our Design and Construction Standards determine how our city is shaped and guide our approval processes. They ensure that consistent materials, furniture, signage, lighting, planting and utilities are used across our public spaces.
What you told us
You expressed that the significant infrastructure and construction projects in Kensington are causing concern and disruption to residents and businesses.
This includes Metro Tunnel works at South Kensington Station, the Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre redevelopment, and Epsom Road Sewer works. Some of you are concerned about current and upcoming apartment constructions and the impacts on your daily lives and liveability.
“Stalled house rebuilds during the lockdown and the demolitions and stop start development projects associated with Arden Macaulay, plus the noise from the rail tunnel works etc.”
What we’re doing
We’re providing regular communication updates for the Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre redevelopment and working to ensure residents and stakeholders know what’s happening and their concerns are heard when planning for upcoming works.
We work closely, where possible with other government entities including Melbourne Water and Metro Tunnel to ensure works are communicated and local impacts minimised.
A new Code of Practice for Building, Construction and Works has recently been adopted. We’ve also developed a Development Activity Model which provides a visualisation of future buildings in Melbourne.
We are advocating to the State Government for a stronger regulatory framework to manage construction noise.
Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners
The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.
We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future.
