What is ‘Main Street Revitalisation’?
Main streets are the physical, economic, social and cultural hearts of their communities. They are important places for trade and commerce and play a crucial role in community connection and neighbourhood character.
Main street revitalisation refers to the planned process of implementing initiatives and fostering main street environments that support thriving main street communities.
How is Council delivering main street revitalisation?
In 2020 City of Adelaide identified Hindley Street, Hutt Street, Melbourne Street and O’Connell Street as priority main streets for an intensive program of Main Street Revitalisation.
Successful main street revitalisation plans deliver initiatives that are tailored to place and Council values the knowledge and aspirations of our community members and stakeholders. To progress main street revitalisation Place Coordinators were appointed as single-point-of-contacts for each of these main streets in March 2021, and commenced a process of targeted data gathering and stakeholder engagement.
What we heard from the community informed the development of the Vision and Master Plans and an ongoing program of activation with initiatives implemented to add vibrancy.
The Main Street Master Plans reflect and respond to the individual character, circumstances and aspirations of each of the priority main streets.
What is a ‘Place model’ approach to main street revitalisation?
A ‘Place model’ approach is about doing some things quickly to make a difference, experiencing, and evaluating what works, before investing in long-term change.
It is based on listening to and asking questions of the people who live, work, and play in our places to discover their needs and aspirations and then implementing solutions.
Work continues in each main street on short- and medium-term initiatives to add vibrancy to each street and trial and test new approaches that may be adopted in the longer term.
Where is Council on the main street revitalisation journey?
The place-led approach to main street revitalisation for all four priority main streets has been underway since February 2021.
Since this time, City of Adelaide has embarked on a targeted engagement program through Lord Mayor’s Roundtable sessions and conversations with dedicated Place Coordinators on each priority main street. Concurrently, data gathering has included focus group sessions, City User Profile Survey targeted questions, Residents Survey targeted questions and business / stakeholder engagement.
Over this period, Main Street initiatives have been implemented to add vibrancy to each street and to trial and test new approaches that may be adopted in the longer term.
The Main Street Master Plan drafts for Melbourne Street, Hutt Street, Hindley Street and O’Connell Street were presented to Council in December 2021, with the draft long-term vision and objectives approved for key stakeholder and community engagement. Community feedback on the draft Vision and Objectives was outlined in a report to Council on 14 December 2021.
A Main Street Revitalisation and Master Plan update was presented to The Committee on 17 May 2022, and further investigations and analysis to support the progress of the concept plans were undertaken. The May report presented outlined the next steps for implementation of short-term initiatives, and a recommended approach for the spend of the State Government election commitment funding of $3 million for Hutt Street and $1 million for Melbourne Street.
A subsequent Master Plan update to Council in August 2023 included designs and indicative costings.
The delivery of the Main Street Master Plans is now being progressed through Council’s Infrastructure team according to the priorities and budget allocations set by Council as part of the annual Business Plan and Budget process.
The 2023/2024 Business Plan and Budget includes budget provisions for the delivery of Detailed Design for Hindley Street and Concept Design for Gouger Street.
Place Coordinators continue to work with local communities, traders and stakeholders across the city to deliver an annual program of activations and initiatives that add vibrancy and contribute towards the shared vision of places within the city.
What part of the Melbourne Street Master Plan draft is Council currently seeking feedback on?
Main street revitalisation is an ongoing process and there will be future opportunities for community engagement as we progress towards Master Plan implementation. Community engagement will take place for each street as part of the detailed design phase. There may be short-term initiatives that we test with the community to inform long term planning.
At this point in the main street revitalisation journey, Council is seeking the community’s views on the Temporary Footpath Extensions.
Feedback received will be combined with existing research and data to inform the design process for longer term changes on the street.
Any proposed design changes will also be open for community consultation at a later stage.
The engagement to date has been an opportunity for Council to provide information on the status of the main street revitalisation program and seek feedback and information that will inform the way forward.
How will my feedback impact on improvements on our priority main streets?
Feedback you provide will be used to inform community priorities and assists in guiding the implementation of infrastructure improvements on each main street.
How do I provide my feedback?
Written Submissions
All written submissions should be addressed to:
Community Consultation
Main Street Revitalisation - Melbourne Street
GPO Box 2252, Adelaide SA 5001
What happens next?
We will acknowledge your feedback either by email or in writing.
Main street revitalisation is an ongoing process and there will be future opportunities for community engagement. Please stay informed by coming back to this page for updates.
