Young, Celeste (2014) Opening the Door: Brimbank Community Workshop Report. Project Report. Victoria Institute of Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria.

Abstract

Brimbank has some of the most diverse communities and is one of the fastest growing suburbs in the greater Melbourne region. This presents both opportunities and challenges. As the need to have healthier and more resilient communities emerges, the role of how we use and manage our open spaces is a key question. Brimbank City Council has spent more than $12 million over the past four years, to create better connectivity and increase amenity in their local area. This is not only changing how people perceive their local area, but also how businesses grow and interact within the community. Victoria University in collaboration with Brimbank City Council and Greening the West ran a day of targeted workshop discussions for local community members, to ‘check the pulse’ of community thought in relation to open space and the current perception of their value; and also to discuss how open spaces can be shaped to capitalise on the current transformation of Brimbank in a way that supports future development of a vibrant and connected community. This was part of a research project being undertaken by Victoria University which is currently developing a methodology to value the benefits from green urban spaces in order to ascertain the social returns from investments made in green infrastructure. The discussions were undertaken at the Sunshine Convention Centre, Victoria University Campus on 15th of November 2013 from 7 am until 4pm. They were facilitated by Victoria University and included presentations from both representatives of Brimbank Council and Victoria University. Attendees were from the local community and represented a number of different cultural and community interests. This report is based upon notes compiled by Dr Gayathri Mekala and Celeste Young from the Victoria Institute of Strategic Economic Studies at Victoria University.

Search Google Scholar

Repository staff login