This consultation is closed, we used your feedback to create a Final Concept Design to improve this space.

Final Concept Design endorsed

At the Council Meeting on Tuesday 9 July, Council endorsed the Final Concept Design for upgrading the public space at the northeast corner of Gertrude and Brunswick Streets in Fitzroy.

In November and December 2023, we asked the community to share their thoughts on our draft Concept Design and tell us if we got it right. We received useful feedback on key elements of the design, the layout of the space, how the community would like to use the space, and other issues to consider.

We also heard from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have a connection with Fitzroy. We wanted to understand how this space is significant for them and hear their stories, so that they can be incorporated into the design.

Thanks to everyone who shared your thoughts – your feedback has helped us to finalise the design. You can read more about the consultation further down the page.

• Read the Community Engagement Report (PDF)
• Read the Targeted Engagement Report (PDF)

What happens next?

We will now write to the Minister for Housing and Multicultural Affairs to seek approval for the use of a portion of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) land on the Atherton Gardens Estate. '

This first step is required before we can progress with constructing the new public space.

Thanks to everyone who contributed. This consultation is closed, we used your feedback to create a Final Concept Design to improve this space.

We created a design for a vibrant new public space at the northeast corner of Gertrude and Brunswick Streets.

This idea was raised during our consultation for the Brunswick Street Streetscape Masterplan and there was strong community support for a new public space at this location (over 80%).

We considered the following elements to make sure we’re meeting the needs of our diverse community:

Part of the site is located on Atherton Gardens, which is owned by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH). The use of this land as a public space will require formal approval, with negotiations currently taking place with DFFH and Homes Victoria.

An integrated artwork for the new space

The new proposed Gertrude and Brunswick Streets corner design will also complement other initiatives in the surrounding areas, including the upcoming installation of the Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter statues in Atherton Gardens.

We'll be having separate discussions with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and key stakeholders from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to understand how the space is significant for them and their stories, so that this can be incorporated into the design as part of an integrated artwork for the space.

Have your say

The community was given the opportunity to fill in the survey and share their thoughts about the proposed design. Feedback closed at 9am on Monday 18 December 2023.

We also provided an opportunity to come along and speak to the team on:

• Thursday 30 November from 3pm to 5pm
• Saturday 9 December from 12midday to 2pm.