Between 31 October and 27 November 2023, we heard from 695 community members via face-to-face randomly selected intercept survey participants on-site across the seven activity centres (374), Have Your Say online survey responses (275), attendees at the BHARG, FReeZA, and DAIAC meetings (44), and two direct emails to Council officers, about their views on the drafting of the Placemaking Action Plan.

The following key findings were identified in the data collected from the community engagement:

Visiting the activity centres

The seven activity centres appear to operate as local activity centres, with most respondents travelling only a relatively short distance to visit the activity centres, mostly by car and/ walking. Most were visiting during business hours or both during business hours and after hours. The majority of visits were of a medium duration, for example, including a mix of shopping, window shopping, and a coffee, socialising, or a meal.

Views about the activity centres

The overwhelming majority of respondents reported that they would recommend the activity centre to friends and/ or family as a place to visit. A strong majority of respondents believed that there were places for people to get together in the activity centres, although the vibrancy of the activity centres at night was rated as moderate at 5.5 (intercept) and 4.0 (online) on a scale from zero to 10.

How well existing placemaking features are working

The features that respondents considered were working best included the street library at Sandringham Village, the historical markers at Bay Street, the outdoor dining, lighting, street plantings, signage, and wayfinding, all of which were rated at “good” levels by the intercept survey respondents. The features that respondents considered were working least well included the public sculpture at three centres, events and attractions, and picnic tables, all of which were rated at “poor” levels by the intercept survey respondents. Self-selected online respondents rated how well these features were working measurably lower than the intercept survey respondents.

Liking the centre-specific placemaking initiatives

The majority of both intercept and online survey respondents reported that they like most of the placemaking initiatives that were tested through the surveys, although only a minority of respondents liked the bronze paper stacks and chairs, the concrete etched designs, and seats, and some of the murals on commercial buildings, street art on service and utility infrastructure, and colourful planters.

Liking the placemaking initiatives

A minority of the intercept and online survey respondents liked most of the seven initiatives, although 61% of intercept survey respondents liked the spacelets for outdoor dining, 80% of online survey respondents liked the street art, 68% liked the creatively designed recreation features, and 60% liked the large outdoor chess set.

The main reasons why intercept survey respondents liked the placemaking initiatives were that they encourage people to get together (61%), whilst the main reasons why the online survey respondents liked the placemaking initiatives were that they make a place feel livelier (79%) and encourages people to get together (73%).

Local shopping precincts enhance and contribute to centre’s character

The most common ways by which both intercept survey (20%) and online survey (23%) respondents felt that local shopping precincts enhance and contribute to a centre’s local character were through the variety of shops and other businesses within the centre. The diversity of people (11%) and trees, greenery, and planting (10%) were also commonly nominated by intercept survey respondents, whilst online respondents also nominated vibe/ community atmosphere (17%) and updates to the precinct/ maintenance/ art/ décor (13%) as enhancements that could contribute to character.

Centre-specific characteristics to preserve/ improve

The most common centre-specific improvements, or characteristics that respondents want to preserve were focused on the quality of greenery including trees and other plantings, art and beautification including art, décor, sculpture, and other beautification works, the range of quality of shops and dining venues of various types. There were also references made to planning and heritage preservation in some centres, as well as amenities including seating, lighting, bins, and other infrastructure.

Reasons why local shopping precincts are important

The main reasons identified by intercept survey respondents were the variety and number of shops and restaurants, whilst the main reasons identified by online survey respondents were the community feel/ atmosphere.

To find out more, read the complete report on community engagement.

Next steps

The Placemaking Action Plan is being drafted and will be shared with the community in the coming months, as part of the draft Economic Development, Tourism and Placemaking Strategy for further community feedback