Belgrave Town Centre Study

Appendix DWOODSBAGOT.COMIntroductionConsultation held onThursday May 7 th 2009Belgrave Saturday May 16thNumber of individual consultationsMay 7th: 27May 16 th : 44Total 71Methodology:4 large posters were displayed ina prominent central location in theshopping strip in Main St. Thesewere supported by the presenceof Cr Dunn, 2 Shire Officersand the lead consultant fromWoods Bagot, Rob Deutscher.Questionnaires designed byWoods Bagot were available forresidents to complete, however inpractice, most people preferredto relay their thoughts to Councilstaff who recorded the responses.When this occurred the responseswere recorded in two styles,third person reporting and directrecording of quotes.The questionnaires contained fourquestions:• What do you value aboutthe town centre?• What is missing?• What needs fixing?• What are your responsesto the materialpresented?Participant responses to eachquestion are summarized below.Several respondents werepleased to have the opportunityto raise issues related to Belgravein general. These have beenincluded under a heading ofGeneral Comments.Participant ResponsesThe following material has beenreproduced as a faithful copy ofthe original material.While every attempt has beenmade to record the commentsauthentically, it has occasionallybeen necessary to add qualifyinginformation which will be found inbrackets.What do you value aboutthe town centre?- Like the village atmosphere,except for the traffic.- Has more shops that where Icome from (Upwey)- I like it. I love Belgrave. Love theopen strip.- The cafes- Good community feel- Likes hub and wants the town toremain exactly as it is.- Sherbrooke Forest- Gateway to the Dandenongs.- Good mix of businesses- Community aspect of town notcity feel.- The community.- You know everyone and it is aclose community.-Good sense of local character/identity- No Mac Donald’s orhomogenous look.- Country town feel.- Mixed architectural feel.- More vibrant and lively than itused to be.- Good character- Community aspect of town- notcity feel.- ( visitor to town) likes the villageatmosphere, except for the traffic.- Likes hills and wants town toremain exactly as it is.- Sherbrooke Forest.- Gateway to the Dandenongs.- Good mix of business.Saturday- “It’s a community space whichprovides services e.g.: library. Alsorecreation space. Retail space”- The library, the range ofbusiness focussing on organics,recycled products, fair trade, thecinema etc.- I think it’s great the town isprogressing but we need toremember people with disabilities.Great to have the chance tocontribute to the process.- Close to home, saves going toFountain Gate/Knox.- Public Art.- Small town community friendlyfeel.- Know most of the shop keepers.- Cameo.- Community spirit.Belgrave Final Report - | April 2010 | Page 43