Wurundjeri cultural heritage

Learn about key places of Aboriginal cultural and historical significance using the innovative and interactive digital map Mapping Aboriginal Melbourne. The map is a powerful truth-telling tool that gives all Melburnians insight into the history of the land and its Traditional Owners.

Apartment living

We've met with the Strata Community Association and Facilities Management Association to investigate ways we can provide further support for apartment residents and managers.

Affordable and inclusive

We've created a number of free and accessible pop-up libraries which are taking over temporary spaces in the CBD. Play, read and learn at the new Federation Square Pop-up Library for kids. Feed your mind at the beautiful and bountiful Elizabeth St Pop-up Library, with an array of best-selling books, access to wi-fi, and a bespoke Make*It Space.

Councillors endorsed the internal design for the new Munro Library and Community Hub. Set to open by the end of 2023, the library will attract more people to the market precinct and help support the economic resurgence and vitality of the precinct.

Accessible and easy to navigate

To make our city more inclusive for everyone, we've launched the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Symbol initiative across the city. People with a hidden disability can now access free sunflower lanyards, pins, stickers and wrist bands, to discreetly signal that they may require assistance at events, businesses and on public transport. To find out where to collect these wearable products, see Neighbourhood Priorities.

Local and fresh food

We've updated the Community Food Guide for 2022 and a new interactive Community Food Map is now live.

Decarbonising transport

We’re currently undertaking community consultation on our Zero carbon buildings project. With buildings contributing up to 66 per cent of our carbon emissions, they play a big part in our city reaching its net zero emissions target by 2040.

Greening the city

We've created an inviting and functional space on Lonsdale Street in the Greek Precinct with new cafe screen planter boxes and an improved footpath.

Renewable energy

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're also boosting sustainability in the Queen Victoria Market precinct, powering up more than 650 solar panels to cut carbon emissions and electricity costs.

Waste and circular economy

An information session for proposed communal waste facilities in the Little La Trobe Street precinct was held in September. Feasibility of a smaller compactor is currently underway based on community feedback and further updates will be provided later in the year.

We continue the rollout of the Food Organics and Green Organics (FOGO) high-rise trial.

Distinct neighbourhoods

Our Business Precinct Program awarded grants to the following five CBD precinct associations:

• City Precinct
• Melbourne Chinatown Association – first-time recipient
• Collins Street Precinct Group
• Greek Precinct Association
• Melbourne City North Business Association

Councillors discussed the Municipal Planning Strategy and Draft City Spatial Plan at the 19 July Future Melbourne Committee meeting. The strategy plots how Melbourne 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.

Small business support

The Lord Mayor's Small Business Awards recognised the achievements of 49 Melbourne business owners who've been operating in the City of Melbourne for more than 10, 20 and 40 years, including in the CBD.

Co-working and improving digital literacy

Centrally located at 227-229 Bourke Street Melbourne, Micro-Labs is open. Pop by this shared and flexible venue to co-work, join or host an event, borrow or browse the library collection, meet people, collaborate and more.

Heritage protection

The Minister of Planning has approved Amendment C387: Hoddle Grid Heritage Review (Permanent Controls). The Amendment now forms part of the Melbourne Planning Scheme.

We’re stepping up to protect the city’s heritage, releasing a new policy update to set out how recent changes to planning controls and policies are celebrating Melbourne’s iconic laneway culture.

Creative city

Our new Experience Melbourne program will deliver more exciting events, enticing tourism initiatives and a bold new marketing campaign to boost visitation and better promote the city’s unique experiences.

"Reinventing" the city

Feedback received during community consultation on The Greenline Project will help to inform and kickstart the delivery of the project in 2023. This is a transformation project that will present a new vision for the north bank of the Yarra River - Birrarung. It will see the development of five precincts covering 4km between Birrarung Marr and the Bolte Bridge.

Local community connection

We’re supporting the delivery of a number of community-led initiatives including through our Community Grants Program.

We also support the Melbourne Men’s Shed who have recently helped to establish a second location at the Peter Mac Men’s Shed which has opened recently.

Safety in the street

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.

Homelessness support

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.

Street cleanliness

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've committed to high-pressure cleaning works across the city, with a focus on the Chinatown precinct following the four-month Graffiti Blitz.

Safer roads and public transport

We're planning footpath upgrades as part of our Streetscape Improvements Program for 2022-23 to respond to the changing needs of our streets and improve the experience of footpaths for people in some of the city’s busiest walking areas. From now until mid-2023, we’ll be rolling out footpath upgrades across a number of sites.

Public amenities

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.

We're spending over $150,000 on new lantern-look light installations to improve visibility and accessibility in the Chinatown precinct.

Recreation facilities

We've completed a major restoration to our iconic Melbourne City Baths, which has the largest swimming pool in the CBD, as well as a gym and a fitness studio.

International students

Thanks to our advocacy and partnership with major universities across Australia, the Federal Government recently agreed to introduce an automatic 4-year post-study work visa for international students who complete their studies in Australia, to enhance Melbourne’s attractiveness as a study destination and to deliver more talent and skilled labour.

In May of this year there were more than 85,000 international students in Melbourne – a 25 per cent increase from December 2021, and the highest level since March. Students from India are Melbourne’s biggest international cohort, making up 22 per cent of all international students, followed by China, Nepal and Vietnam.

Off-leash areas for dogs

Council resolved to create some new dog off-leash locations within the City on 28 June. This will come into effect once it’s published in the Victoria Government Gazette. Locations where off-leash activity is not currently permitted will become available for use. Find out more about new dog off-leash areas.

We recently asked for your feedback on our draft 2022-2025 Domestic Animal Management Plan, which covers issues such as pet registration, nuisance pets, dog attacks and domestic animal businesses. We’ll consider your feedback and incorporate it into the final version.

Grants of up to $2000 are available to increase community participation, connection, equity, diversity and inclusion through our new Connected Neighbourhoods Small Grants. Applications are open all year until the budget has been fully allocated.

Check out other grant opportunities on the Community Noticeboard.

This quarter the following projects in the CBD have received Connected Neighbourhood Small Grants:

• The Creative Youth Coding Program

This project is aimed at providing outcomes for children (aged 11-12) in the City North area where there is currently limited low-cost weekend programming for children and young people.

• Book Club

This is a unique idea to bring together diverse groups of women in the neighbourhood to support each other and learn together about financial and business skills.