1. Driving the revival of main streets in rural and regional Victoria
What can councils do and
what do we need to know?
Stephen Sully

2. Starting points
Town centres are absolutely essential to economic and social wellbeing of communities.
Town centres will never be “finished.”
No single party has the capacity to achieve success alone.
Need to integrate social, physical, economic and environmental aspects.
Need to manage on a day to day basis.

3. Ingredients for a successful centre

4. What makes a great centre?
A place where people can:
meet
work
play
purchase
celebrate
eat
learn
simply enjoy being in

5. What makes a great centre a successful centre?
More than just open spaces and streetscape “improvements”
Stories and unique characters
A place that has a distinctive character and point of difference

6. What makes a great centre a successful centre?
A place with desirable destination businesses
Quality goods
Quality service
Attractive setting
Open at appropriate times
Koonwarra VIC - A two business town that has become the “must stop” destination

7. Why do we go to one centre rather than another ?
PHYSICAL
Location
Accessibility
Attractiveness
Transport
MANAGEMENT
Marketing
Advertising
Awareness
Events
Perception
Safety and Security
ECONOMIC
Range of businesses, services, amenities and facilities
Quality of goods and services
Customer service
Opening hours

8. Key ingredients of a successful centre
Economic
and
Business
Physical Environment
Management
and organisation

9. What can Council do? Management and organisation
Provide leadership and foster collaboration
Identify realistic roles, functions and relationships
Provide training for business operators
Establish and commit to a long term Business Plan for the centre
Market and advocate the centre

10. Range and quality of goods, services and facilities
What can Council do?
Range and quality of goods, services and facilities
Locate Council services and facilities in the centre
Encourage government to locate education and health facilities in the centre
Monitor business mix and ownership patterns
Attract appropriate businesses to fill gaps
Consider purchasing strategic properties to activate the centre

11. What can Council do? Physical Environment
Develop a Framework Plan for the centre
Provide uncluttered multi use public spaces
Provide efficient parking facilities
Maintain the public realm
Provide informational and directional signage
Well lit, safe, secure and walkable environment

12. Council interacts with a centre in a multitude of ways
Successful
Centre
Economic Development
Town Planning
Urban design
Parks and Gardens
Traffic and Transport
Infrastructure
Local Laws
Community Development
Sport and Recreation
Health
Cleaning
How coordinated and consistent are they?
Are all departments seeking common objectives?

13. Partnerships

14. Processes: Sunshine Town Centre Partnership Group

15. Processes: Sunshine Town Centre Management

16. Processes: Sunshine Town Centre Marketing

17. In summary A successful centre is one that :
Has an integrated approach
Builds strong, equitable partnerships
Understands its role, position and potential
Has a distinctive brand
Meets customers needs
Reflects community pride
Is managed on a daily basis
Is planned, but with flexibility to accommodate constant evolution