Engaging with community, listening to what you have told us and then turning your suggestions into actions is a continuous process. We recently kicked this off with our first community consultations from 1 March to 30 April 2022. We then got back in touch from 15 August to 4 September 2022 to check to see if there were any gaps or issues that you wanted to tell us about.
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
We’ve heard that you want better acknowledgment and celebration of Aboriginal culture and history in Parkville. You told us that you’d like to see more recognition of Wurundjeri's ongoing cultural connection to Country with visibility through signage, education, placemaking and creative art initiatives.
You’d like to see educational opportunities for people to learn more about Aboriginal culture and history and for events to be run in partnership with Aboriginal organisations to help with this.
“Engaging the local indigenous communities and renaming with traditional indigenous names.”
“More acknowledgement of Aboriginal land in the parks.”
“Changing name signs to Aboriginal place names would be something I’d also really love to see.”
What we’re doing
As part of our Reconciliation Action Plan 2021-23 we are identifying and implementing opportunities for the dual naming of spaces to reflect Aboriginal cultural heritage for Parkville.
At this year’s narrm ngarrgu | Melbourne Knowledge Week we launched Mapping Aboriginal Melbourne a spatial mapping tool highlighting places and events of Aboriginal cultural significance within the city. An interactive map is 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 the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation and supports Council in placemaking and signage. The Map identifies a number of Aboriginal Places of Significance in Parkville.
We host the YIRRAMBOI Festival every second year, providing opportunities for Aboriginal artists to present their continuous and diverse contemporary practices.
As part of the Parkville Heritage Review, the City of Melbourne is engaging Wurundjeri people and organisations to gain a deeper understanding and celebrate Parkville’s Aboriginal culture and history.
Over 700 trees were recently planted within Royal Park including planting of indigenous trees selected from the Royal Park Masterplan.
If you want to get more familiar with Aboriginal history and living culture, check out this reading list of books by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers. You can borrow all the books from our libraries.
[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.
We will reduce economic and social inequality by ensuring universal access to housing, core services and information.
What you told us
We've heard that you want to ensure housing is affordable for families and individuals in the area by regulating rents and developing new affordable, medium/high density housing options.
“More medium density housing - current apartments in the market are old and limited. Few opportunities for students to choose.”
“More affordable and high/medium density housing.”
“Build public housing.”
What we’re doing
Affordable housing, including social housing and subsidised market housing, is a priority for the whole of the municipality. Our Affordable Housing Strategy 2020-2030 guides our actions to deliver more affordable housing in response to the affordable housing shortage that the municipality is experiencing.
Our recently established Homes Melbourne is exploring ways to increase the supply of affordable housing including partnerships with private developers, state and federal government advocacy and ways individuals can help solve the housing crisis. It has also identified three Council owned sites to develop new affordable housing projects including ways to support people experiencing homelessness and increase pathways out of homelessness.
What you told us
You’d like increased access to local venues and spaces for community activities. This includes meeting places, spaces for all groups including older adults and young people to gather, a community hub, spaces for community events and a notice board to share and promote local activities and initiatives.
“A community centre is needed in Parkville Gardens as we don’t have a space to gather, hold meetings or connect with the community.”
“We would love to have a dedicated community centre in Parkville for all residents to use.”
What we’re doing
The Women's Safety and Empowerment Action Plan aims to promote the inclusion and safety of women and gender diverse people in our communities and public places. Planned activities for 2022-23 include the delivery of Club Respect within sporting clubs, a review of policy and practice in relation to lighting of sporting pavilions, and the redevelopment of Bren's pavilion.
As part of our obligation under the Gender Equality Act 2020, Council is required to support the identification and elimination of systemic causes of gender inequality in policy, program and delivery of services in communities.
Outcomes in our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan address identified barriers in the physical, information and social environment. This ensures infrastructure development and public spaces demonstrate best practice in universal access.
Our Inclusive Melbourne Strategy increases access to opportunities for all people and outlines how we will respond to the diversity of religions, cultures, age groups, gender, sexual orientation and ability among the people who live, work, study in and visit the city.
[February 2023] Working closely with Parkville Gardens Residents Association, we will purchase and install a community noticeboard in Galada Avenue Reserve to provide a space for community to share and promote local activities and initiatives.
Construction of the new Brens Pavilion, one of three pavilions in Royal Park to be upgraded by City of Melbourne, is on track and the the building will hopefully be complete by the end of April, with landscaping surrounding it to follow in May. All of the brick work, electrical fit out and plumbing is now complete, along with the roof and solar panel installation.
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
You told us that you value and admire the many parks and open spaces of Parkville and would like to maintain and protect them, while planting more greenery and trees in the streets. You would also like to see more seating in the existing parks.
“Could benefit from more open space - consider internal reserves. Increase biodiversity on nature strips.”
“I think that there are plenty more opportunities to create green spaces within the streets of Parkville.”
“Beautify and maintain the parks. For example, clean outgrown tress and branches.”
What we’re doing
Our Open Space Strategy recognises the value of open spaces in improving community health and wellbeing. It also provides for public open space planning in the City of Melbourne. It guides the sustainable care and growth of our open spaces to meet the needs of the growing and changing residential and worker population while also responding to climate change.
Our Urban Forest Strategy aims to help us achieve our vision of a healthy, resilient and diverse urban forest. One of our targets is to achieve 40% canopy cover by 2040 and to do this we are planting 3,000 trees every year. Our Urban Forest Precinct Plans guide us on how this will be implemented in local neighbourhoods, including Parkville.
We are also currently undertaking Amendment C379, which proposes to protect an additional 119 exceptional trees (privately owned and managed land) in the Central City, Parkville, University of Melbourne Parkville Campus, Carlton, South Yarra, East Melbourne, Kensington, Flemington, and North Melbourne.
Our Nature in the City Strategy outlines how we will protect and enhance ecosystem health and biodiversity in our city.
We run other initiatives to protect, preserve and increase greening throughout Parkville including implementing Royal Park habitat understory plantings, creating biodiversity streetscape at Park Street, offering Urban Forest Fund grants and the Gardens for Wildlife program.
Over 700 trees were recently planted within Royal Park including planting of indigenous trees selected from the Royal Park Masterplan.
A guide to community garden is available for people who want to start a community garden on land that the City of Melbourne owns or manages. To set up a community garden in a high rise residential building, Owners Corporations can apply for Connected Community Grants to establish community gardens.
[February 2023] We are reviewing the Royal Park Master Plan 1997. Stage 1 of the project will be to review the current plan and undertake a number of specialist background studies which will be used to inform the master plan review. The goal is to develop a comprehensive master plan that thoughtfully articulates a vision along with guiding principles, an assessment of planning and operational issues, and recommended actions for future projects. This will enable Council to manage the parklands for the next 20 years and ensure park meets contemporary community needs and expectations.
What you told us
You told us that you’d like to see better waste management in the neighbourhood including more frequent street cleaning and collection of rubbish, and improved street maintenance throughout Parkville. You would like to have community education initiatives to help improve waste disposal practices.
“We focus on waste but not nearly enough on waste removal.”
“Consider improving access to recycling programs for example water, clothing. Very happy with new green waste collection.”
“More monitoring of graffiti offenders especially over weekends.”
What we’re doing
Since March 2022, The Rapid Response Clean Team has been conducting two-week blitzes across the municipality, responding swiftly to requests for street cleaning and graffiti removal. The team delivers a range of services including street cleaning, and developing programs to reduce illegal dumping of rubbish, graffiti and cleaning requirements. You can report unwanted graffiti or a street cleaning issue here.
Some of our libraries, including Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre, are also recycling and E-waste drop-off locations.
[February 2023] We continue to provide a wide range of services for reusing, recycling or disposing of unwanted household items and materials. 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 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.
Between October 2022 and January 2023:
What you told us
You would like to see more sustainable programs and initiatives in the community, including encouraging solar panels and renewable energy options, community compost facilities as well as education initiatives to encourage sustainable living.
“Ways to support people into climate conscious decisions for example, grants/knowledge about solar panels and renewable resources, make people want to choose greener options etcetera.”
“Climate - needs a HUGE focus. Encourage / teach us how we can contribute to the well-being of our planet’s future.”
“More environmentally focused housing, sustainability focused changes for streets, transport and businesses.”
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’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.
In 2017 we became the first capital city council in Australia to be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy 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 city powered by 100 per cent renewables by 2030.
We also offer a range of community environmental education and awareness programs including Nature Stewards, our Citizen Forester Program, Gardens for Wildlife and sustainability walking tours.
To prevent e-wastes going into landfill, we offer e-waste drop-off locations. You can drop off batteries at Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre, and other libraries.
What we’re doing next
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.
[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.
To protect Princes Park from the impacts of future drought, we are investigating options to capture excess stormwater from Moonee Ponds Creek to provide a sustainable water supply to this valuable open space. It is proposed that pipework and infrastructure will be predominately underground and needs to cross Royal Park to reach Princes Park.
We are making it easier for all residents to access affordable renewable energy, no matter where they live. Working with University of Melbourne and RMIT research partners, the Power Melbourne project will install a network of neighbourhood batteries around the city. The batteries will be linked to a retail electricity plan to help renters, people living in apartments, and those running small 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
You’d like to see greater hospitality and retail offerings in Parkville including more cafes, convenience stores, supermarkets and green grocers. You’d like a shopping strip/precinct in Parkville to attract more businesses to the area.
“I think we need more amenities like a small shopping strip and more cafes.”
“Parkville could benefit from a few more local cafes/bakeries, particularly around the proximity of Royal Park.”
“I live in the western part of Parkville. It can feel a little unloved in terms of amenities, so would be nice to become its own little pocket rather than just a thoroughfare for people trying to avoid Citylink or Elliot Ave.”
What we’re doing
Our dedicated Business Concierge Service play a key role in supporting existing business as well as attracting and assisting new start-ups in the municipality. The service will also play a key role in advising prospective start-ups and businesses owners via our Business in Melbourne newsletter and other communications.
We provide support for businesses through: grants, mentoring, workshops, extended outdoor dining initiatives, regular newsletters, research and data sharing.
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
Parkville’s rich history and unique identity is important to you, and a cherished feature of the neighbourhood. You’d especially like to see the old buildings and heritage preserved and protected now and for the future.
“I would like to see South Parkville's heritage streetscape respected.”
“Would like to see strong protection measures for older housing styles against further development by business and developers.”
“A strong desire to maintain the heritage of the area.”
“Educating about the heritage of Parkville to the community.”
What we’re doing
We are committed to protecting Parkville’s rich cultural heritage. The Parkville Heritage Review is currently underway to better understand its built and cultural heritage, and to find out what makes it different to other neighbourhoods in Melbourne. The Parkville Heritage Review is the latest study in a rolling program of Heritage Reviews to ensure we have up-to-date knowledge to protect the city’s valued places.
i-Heritage, City of Melbourne’s online heritage database is currently being updated. Community members can use the database to search for information on heritage properties in the City of Melbourne.
We’ve developed a Development Activity Model to better inform you of future buildings and construction in your area. Council is also currently pursuing Amendment C376 to the Melbourne Planning Scheme, which proposes to regulate Sustainable Building Design requirements across the municipality.
[February 2023] The Parkville Heritage Review is nearing completion and will be brought to Future Melbourne Committee to begin the Planning Scheme Amendment process in mid-2023. Interim controls will also be sought once the Review is complete.
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 told us that although parts of Parkville are well serviced by many public transport options, the current public transport system does not adequately service the entire neighbourhood. You especially highlighted the need for more frequent services and better transport options that are physically accessible and affordable for all, particularly in the Parkville Gardens area.
“Frequent bus route. One bus every hour isn’t convenient.”
“Accessible trams for all the hospitals on Route 59. So many people with wheelchairs or prams who are not able to easily use those routes.”
“It would be great if the free tram zone extended up to the university.”
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 public transport infrastructure.
The Metro Tunnel’s Parkville Station is currently under construction and due for completion in 2025, connecting Parkville and surrounding areas to the rail network for the first time. This will reduce pressure on local trams and roads while providing more frequent services. The service will link directly to Melbourne Airport in 2029 via the Melbourne Airport Rail.
We can play a role in highlighting community feedback and further advocating for improvement to infrastructure and public transport services to the appropriate agencies.
[February 2023] The Victorian State Government has recently announced plans to provide additional weekday bus services that aim to connect Parkville Gardens to surrounding areas, providing more frequent and accessible public transport service to the Parkville community.
What you told us
You are concerned about increased traffic issues in the area and want better traffic management initiatives to address these. You’d like less traffic, safer bike lanes, more speed restrictions, and better parking options.
“Less rat-running traffic. More enforcement of 40 km speed limit in Gatehouse St.”
“Parking issue management - restriction of cars - encouragement of people to use hospitals carparks if attending hospital. No late-night parking (unofficial in park).”
“Traffic and street parking management: Local roads are too busy with passing non-local traffic and parking outside of my home can get difficult.”
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.
It delivers a protected bike lane network, station precincts as key gateways, safer speed limits, e-scooters trials, and more efficient traffic signal timing. It also supports electric vehicles, has bicycling encouragement programs and advocacy and implementation with the Victorian Government.
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 also working to reduce traffic by supporting people to use other forms of transport.
[February 2023] We have undertaken a range surveys to understand traffic in South Parkville and are continually working with Parkville Association (PA) to investigate traffic mitigation strategies. We have already worked with the community and PA to improve the safety of an existing zebra crossing on Gate House St and to improve the safety of a little laneway off Flemington Road. We are still working with PA to develop other mitigation measures which aim to further improve the safety and amenity for residents. We will also consult all residents before finalising any designs.
What you told us
You said that you don’t always feel safe in the neighbourhood. You believe some streets could be made safer through addressing drug and alcohol use, mental health issues, aggressive behaviour, advocating for more police and security presence and better lighting.
“Night-time safety - I find it to be particularly creepy at night especially along Royal Parade, very dark. Have felt very unsafe getting off the tram at night.”
“As a woman returning to my car after work (sometimes in the dark) it would be good to feel safer.”
“Improved street lighting, more safety initiatives and Royal Park not safe at night. Some areas of the golf club should be reviewed as a danger to the public. More fencing.”
“There are video camera recordings and witness accounts by community members of instances of individuals trying to break into houses. There are also noted instances of alleged drug deals occurring in the locality.”
What we’re doing
City of Melbourne is working with Victoria Police and other community support agencies to enhance public safety. We are actively represented on the Police Community Consultative Committee, which meets monthly at the North Melbourne Police station, and will increase connections through the newly launched Neighbourhood Policing model.
The City of Melbourne Lighting Strategy 2021 aims to responsibly manage the environmental and social impacts of night-time lighting whilst promoting improvements to safety and amenity, especially for pedestrians.
We also recently upgraded Citipower’s streetlighting in Parkville to LED and regularly investigate public recommendations to improve lighting in our neighbourhoods.
We chair the Melbourne Alcohol and Other Drugs Services and Stakeholder Network and work closely with providers to address drug and alcohol related issues in the municipality.
What we’re doing next
A pedestrian study of Parkville will begin in 2022 to identify potential further improvements to footpaths in Parkville.
[February 2023] We are continuing to work with Melbourne North Police Community Consultative Committee (PCCC) as we collaboratively raise safety concerns and discuss opportunities to address and prevent local crime. The PCCC is chaired by Parkville Association President, Rob Moore and is consistently well attended by resident associations including Parkville Gardens Residents Association led by President Tom Knowles.
What you told us
You would like more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to participate in community recreational and social activities that are beneficial to their physical and mental health.
“Driving range? Some fun game activities? Mini golf? Bowling?”
“There are no outdoor basketball facilities in Parkville. Stronger connection to the MSAC Sports Centre Parkville with its surrounds would be great too.”
“There are no sporting facilities in the Parkville Gardens neighbourhood for adolescents such as a half basketball court, volley-ball court, skate-board area. Older members of the community would benefit from a facility such as a bocce or croquet court.”
What we’re doing
We operate a number of recreation centres offering fitness classes, swimming lessons as well as nutrition and exercise physiology services. There is also a range of outdoor recreational equipment throughout Royal Park.
The Active Melbourne app is our official free fitness service designed to support your health and fitness and includes on-demand and live virtual gym classes, tracking and personalised training programs. Our website also has other training resources including Workout Wednesday videos.
With a big focus on Active Melbourne, we support health and wellness through encouraging participation in healthy moderate physical activity. We are doing this through supporting recreation in our beautiful parks and gardens. We have also extended our network of dedicated bike lanes to encourage more people to cycle.
What we’re doing next
We are doing background research to better understand our current and future recreation facility needs.
[February 2023] We hosted the Sunset Series on 1 February 2023. The 3 race, fun run series was targeted at all ages and offered both a 4km and 8km run/walk. The event course for Race 1 is planned to go through the Royal Melbourne Zoo and the event village will be located in Brens Oval adjacent to the main entrance to the zoo.
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 Eastern Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.
We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection the Wurundjeri, Bunurong, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wadawurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin have to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.
We are 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.
