Community aspirations

What does a good future for High Street look like?

Between July and October 2024, we spoke to hundreds of businesses, residents and visitors to High Street. You shared nine aspirations for High Street's future, which have shaped the design ideas and continue to guide the project.

Together, they paint a picture of a vibrant, people-friendly street that supports daily life, celebrates local character and evolves with the city.

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  • Vibrant street

    You want High Street to feel alive, with buzzing shops, quality places to eat, drink and shop.

  • Better walking

    You want it to be easier and safer to walk, with better footpaths and more space for people.

  • Space for community

    You want space to come together - whether it’s for events, markets or somewhere to sit and enjoy the city.

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  • Well-maintained

    You want the street to be looked after, clean and tidy, with greenery that shows people care about it.

  • ​Safe and welcoming

    You want the street to feel safe, day or night, with a welcoming vibe and a good balance between people and vehicles.

  • Unique and memorble

    You want the street to hold its character, a place that feels familiar and connected to the stories, shops and spots you remember.

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  • ​Quirky, urban vibe

    You want it to stay unique, not polished or generic, but quirky, with interesting, small, independent businesses and a creative energy.

  • ​Ease of getting to/from

    You want the street to work well, with access for daily operations like deliveries and waste collection, and easy for people to reach.

  • ​Well-connected

    You want it to feel connected, part of a bigger network of laneways and spaces that make it easy and enjoyable to explore the city.

How did we engage?

Between July and October 2024, we spoke to hundreds of businesses, residents and visitors to share their aspirations for High Street's future.

We sought to understand the community’s views, using these key questions:

  1. What works well currently on High Street?
  2. What needs to be different about High Street?
  3. What makes High Street special?
  4. What a good future for High Street looks like?

These insights shaped the development of three design ideas for High Street's future.

Below is a summary of engagement activity between July and October 2024.

Summary of High St Phase 1 and 2 Engagement