The conversation

We’re developing a neighbourhood approach to better understand the strengths, priorities and needs of our local communities and build the foundation for a more empowered, engaged, and participatory community.

Phase one of our Participate Kensington consultation ran between 11 November and 22 December 2021, with a wide variety of consultation channels used to achieve broad and inclusive community reach.

Gathering insights

The Participate Melbourne website was a key engagement platform featuring a detailed online survey, an interactive map, a short fill in the gaps postcard and a community wall. Targeted phone surveys, community conversations and events were held to further capture feedback.

This included sessions at the Kensington Public Housing Estate in collaboration with weekly food support programs, pop-ups at Holland Park, the Kensington Christmas market, the Kensington Association end of year event, weekday café session on Bellair st, and drop in sessions at The Venny and the Kensington Neighbourhood House.

Feedback was also gathered at a weekly seniors lunch activity, a workshop with mothers involved in a playgroup for culturally diverse families, a local homework club and presentation to the Kensington Community Network. We also worked in partnership with the Kensington Community Children’s Co-operative (KCCC) to involve around 80 children in the consultation.

More than 5000 postcards inviting feedback were distributed to every household in Kensington and feedback stations set up across 5 key community facilities to also gather local input. There was both advertising and feature stories in the local newspaper and social media post through the City of Melbourne’s channels and other local facebook posts from the Kensington Neighbourhood House, Kensington Good Karma Network and more. The project was also promoted through a number of newsletters and direct emails.

Engagement reach

  • 700 total contributions

    Including surveys, postcards, interactive map pins and feedback from workshop activities and interviews

  • 3941 views

    On Participate Melbourne engagement pages

  • 38,286 impressions on social channels

    Through City of Melbourne's Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and WeChat

  • 9 social media posts in local community groups

    With more than 15,500 members collectively

  • 8 newsletters reaching thousands of people

    Through community and City of Melbourne channels

  • 28,000 circulation

    Of local newspaper articles and advertising

  • 25 footpath decals

    In key locations around Kensington

  • 5700 bookmarks

    Distributed to all homes in Kensington and key community spaces

  • 143 additional face-to-face promotions

    At Kensington events

  • 5 'mailbox' feedback stations

    At key community facilities including Kensington Town Hall, Kensington Neighbourhood House, The Venny, Unison Housing office, and Flem-Ken Rotary Op Shop.

Who we heard from

*Demographic data is only from the 473 people who completed a survey.
  • 7% 18-25 year olds
  • 18% 26-30 year olds
  • 27% 31-40 year olds
  • 19% 41-50 year olds
  • 12% 51-60 year olds
  • 11% 61-70 year olds
  • 5 71+ year olds

  • 65% female
  • 32% male
  • 1% non-binary or gender diverse

  • 23% of respondents spoke languages other than English at home.
  • Top languages included: Spanish, Mandarin, Italian, French, German, Somali, Arabic, Vietnamese, Greek and Oromo
  • 91% indicated that they lived in Kensington.
  • 6% were workers or business owners.
  • 1% were students.
  • Another 3% indicated other responses including: future residents, property owners and people both living and working in Kensington.

  • Less than a year 11%
  • 1-5 years 34%
  • 5-10 years 19%
  • 10-20 years 15%
  • More than 20 years 16%

What we heard

  • Location close to the city.
  • Strong sense of community and ‘village feel’.
  • Many parks and green space.
  • Good public transport and overall connectivity.
  • Housing availability and affordability, though this perception is changing

Many respondents outlined they were happy with Kensington as is, and would not like Kensington to change. Others key themes highlighted included:

  • Reducing traffic and improving parking management, including possible removal of level crossings.
  • More investment in bike and pedestrian infrastructure.
  • More parks, planting and open space. Especially between Moonee Ponds Creek and Craigieburn railway line.
  • More community activations and events, using open spaces and other venues.
  • Rejuvenation of areas like the main shopping strips.
  • Protecting local heritage and character and ensuring new development heights and density are appropriate to the neighbourhood.
  • More cafes, restaurants and bars creating buzz and vibrancy in the neighbourhood.

Key responses to this question included:

  • More parks and green spaces, including off-leash dog parks.
  • Improved biking and walking infrastructure especially along Macaulay Rd, Kensington Road and Racecourse Rd.
  • More community services like library programs, events spaces, maker or repair space and more programs for young people and older people as well as support for families.
  • More facilities like outdoor seating and shelters, drinking fountains, rubbish bins and safe, clean public toilets.
  • Expanding outdoor sport and recreation facilities – and other programs especially while the Kensington Community Recreation Centre is being developed.

We asked respondents to identify their level of agreement or disagreement with each statement:

  • The statement respondents most strongly agreed with was It is important that I’m connected to my local community, with 88% either agreeing (43%) or strongly agreeing (45%).
  • Just over half of respondents either agreed (43%) or strongly agreed (8%) that the City of Melbourne understands the needs of the community.
  • Three quarters of respondents indicated they feel connected to their local community
  • I am informed about what’s happening in the community and I feel empowered to participate in community life received similar levels of agreement (64% and 63% respectively.)

Safety was rated on a scale of 1 to 5, from least to most safe. The results were:

  • 1: 1%
  • 2: 5%
  • 3: 17%
  • 4: 58%
  • 5: 18%

Those who felt safe said:

  • The sense of community and connectedness in Kensington contributed to this feeling.
  • People haven’t had any issues or been in a position to feel unsafe.

Those who felt neutral said:

  • Concerns about harassment or other aggressive behaviour.
  • Feeling uncomfortable walking alone.
  • A rise in burglaries and car/bike thefts.

Those who felt unsafe said:

  • Reports of thefts and burglaries.
  • Incidents of harassment of other aggressive behaviour.

Respondents said they could count on the following people for help in a crisis:

  • 71% friends
  • 69% family
  • 68% neighbours

19% of respondents have an emergency kit, 81% don't.

Neighbourhood priorities for Kensington

  • Aboriginal Melbourne

    • Greater recognition and opportunity to learn about Wurundjeri heritage and culture.
    • Establishing a local Reconciliation Action Group.

  • Access and affordability

    • Housing that caters to diverse needs and homelessness support.
    • Improving access to library services and programs
    • Supporting people in ages and stages.
    • Better utilisation of community venues and access.
    • Enhancing recreation spaces and programs.
    • Growing and producing food and having access to fresh and healthy food.
    • Demand for new community infrastructure including: secondary school, sessional kindergarten and childcare care.
    • Initiatives to support and encourage inclusion, diversity and accessibility.

  • Climate and biodiversity emergency

    • Restoration and revitalisation of Moonee Ponds Creek and its surrounds.
    • Sustainability programs and initiatives to support climate action, and increase neighbourhood resilience including disaster preparedness.
    • Reducing waste and developing circular economy – support repair hubs and local community waste initiatives.
    • Increase neighbourhood greening – especially native plants.
    • Invest in and advocate for renewable energy - including electric vehicle infrastructure.

  • Economy of the future

    • Diversification of shops and businesses in Kensington, and beautification of shopping strips.
    • Supporting local businesses and employment pathways.

  • Melbourne’s unique identity and place

    • Increase and enhance parks and open space especially between Moonee Pond Creek and Craigieburn railway line.
    • An increased focus on Arts and Culture – creative spaces, programs and activities for all ages.
    • Protecting local heritage and character and retaining the ‘village feel’.
    • Dogs off leash areas and increasing responsible pet ownership education and enforcement.

  • Safety and wellbeing

    • Improving traffic and parking management.
    • Better bike and walking infrastructure.
    • Improving public transport – especially areas in and around local train stations.
    • Providing opportunities for people to connect through local events and activities.
    • Improving local amenity and safety in parks and open space.

Draft neighbourhood priorities

See the draft neighbourhood priorities we identified during phase one of consultation.