An initial workshop in April identified the eight themes of heritage and residential amenity, environmental amenity, greening and linkages, traffic, transport, social, safety and security, and process (managing the project).

Two workshops have since been held with specific focus on traffic, and heritage and residential amenity.

The residents' groups discuss the ideas and issues around the theme prior to the workshop. Then two or three people from each group bring those discussions, particular to each theme, to the workshop to share with Council staff.

"We are establishing a new model of partnership between residents and Council staff to generate ideas and to resolve issues.

"Commendation goes to ICON, Victoria Neighbourhood Committee, Moa Neighbourhood Committee, Avon Loop Planning Association, Chester Street Residents' Association, and ICENG as the residents’ groups involved," says Belle Melzer, the Mayoral Forum representative for central city residents' groups.

"It is great to have direct input from people who are living within the four avenues," says Dave Hinman, Central City Policy Leader.

"It is a unique opportunity for Council staff to work through different issues with one of the key stakeholders in this project.

"It helps everyone to appreciate each other’s perspectives — what is affecting the people who live in the central city, and what the Council can and can't do.

"There are some things which the Council might be able to do in the short term, others in the long term and others which aren’t feasible at this time," says Dave Hinman

Further workshops addressing the other themes, and progress from earlier workshops will continue to occur about every two months.

The next workshop, with a theme of greening and linkages, will be held on 23 February.

Workshop results will be fed into the process of developing the central city revitalisation strategy - charting short-, medium- and long-term aims.

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