Hume’s Places Program
Local shopping strips are more than places to shop. They’re where people meet, connect, and support local businesses.
The Hume’s Places Program guides how Council plans and delivers upgrades to local shopping strips across the city. The program focuses on creating safer, more attractive, and more functional places for the community, while supporting local traders and businesses.
As part of Council’s 10-year Capital Works Program, upgrades are planned and delivered over time based on evidence, available funding and community input.
How we prioritise projects
Projects under Hume’s Places Program are prioritised through Council’s annual budget process. Once funding is confirmed, the community has opportunities to help shape the draft and final concept designs for individual projects.
To guide these decisions, Council uses a consistent, place-based framework that helps ensure investment goes where it can make the greatest difference.
Program considerations
Council identifies where upgrades are most needed and where investment is likely to deliver the best outcomes for communities and local businesses.
- Greatest need – areas with ageing or poor infrastructure, safety concerns, or amenity issues
- Value for money – locations where upgrades can support strong economic activity and community benefit
Each shopping strip is assessed using four key criteria:
- Streetscape quality – how the area looks, feels and functions, including accessibility
- Business vitality – how well the area supports local traders and economic activity
- Sense of place – whether the space encourages pride, belonging and enjoyment
- Connectivity – how easy it is for people to access the area, including links to transport
The program also considers other Council initiatives that contribute to shopping strip improvements, such as transport upgrades, safety works, public art, and economic development projects.
Working with other Council initiatives
The program works alongside and with other council projects including:
- Major capital works projects
- Business Ideas (funded through Council’s Uplift Initiative)
- Hume Business Grants
- Community Budget Ideas
This coordinated approach helps ensure upgrades support long-term health and activity of local places
Current and recent projects
Current proposed projects include:
- Railway Crescent, Broadmeadows
- Macedon Street, Sunbury
Recent projects include:
- Dargie Court, Dallas
- Melba Avenue, Sunbury
- Emu Parade, Jacana
- Fawkner Street, Westmeadows
Community feedback
Opportunities to share your feedback on individual upgrades will be advertised through Participate Hume.
How does Council decide which areas to upgrade?
Council assesses areas based on streetscape quality, business vitality, sense of place and connectivity, alongside greatest need and value for money. Decisions about which locations will be upgraded next are made through Council’s budget process
Can I have my say on these projects?
Yes. Community feedback is invited on individual projects through Participate Hume once planning on each project begins.