From 25 July to 4 September 2022, we engaged with the North Melbourne community and asked what you valued about recreation services in North Melbourne. We wanted to learn more about community needs, now and in the future. In particular, we wanted to learn more about how community feel about the programs, services and facilities at North Melbourne Community Centre in Buncle Street and North Melbourne Recreation Centre in Arden Street.

Over the six week community consultation period, we visited local community members at a range of venues within North Melbourne such as the North Melbourne Community Centre, a local mosque and the North Melbourne public housing estate. We had a survey on our Participate Melbourne page and paper surveys were available at various local community centers including North Melbourne Community Centre, North Melbourne Recreation Centre and Jean McKendry Neighborhood Centre.

• 40 per cent of respondents had used the gym at the North Melbourne Community Centre in the last 12 months.
• 23 per cent used the indoor basketball court at the North Melbourne Community Centre. This was especially valued by local young people.
• 20 per cent of respondents participated in a group fitness class at the North Melbourne Community Centre in the last 12 months.
• Community spaces to gather and learn are important to the North Melbourne community, particularly for life skills like knitting and cooking.
• 86 per cent of respondents were North Melbourne residents.

Learn more about what we heard by checking out our Engagement Summary infographic, or reading the full report below.

After listening to community feedback, the North Melbourne Community Centre gym and group fitness programs will remain open. City of Melbourne will continue to monitor its usage regularly.

We will be piloting community initiatives designed to increase participation and work with the community to ensure recreation in North Melbourne is relevant, diverse and accessible for local users.

While we trial these initiatives, it will allow time for work to be completed to understand participation and usage of the Community Centre and the future recreation needs for the North Melbourne community. This will ensure that the local North Melbourne community has access to recreation services during the redevelopment of Kensington Community Recreation Centre.