Bundoora Council Reviews A$10 Million Safety Plan's Eight-Month Results

Bundoora council heard this week that its Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan is showing early results in the downtown core.

The plan launched eight months ago with a focus on reducing visible disorder and creating designated spaces for people who need support. Residents and business owners have started noticing fewer repeated issues outside shops and offices, with more visible presence from bylaw officers and police. The timing matters because local traders have raised ongoing concerns about foot traffic and safety since the plan began.

Retail vacancy trends

One clear indicator tracked by staff is the retail vacancy rate. It stood at 11 per cent in 2024 and has since dropped to 9.6 per cent. Several businesses have expanded their footprints, helped by tighter availability in the central area and higher costs further out. These shifts reflect steady demand for space rather than a sudden surge, yet they align with the broader effort to make the downtown more stable for daily operations.

Feedback from operators points to fewer interruptions during business hours. Staff noted that owners are approaching council directly to describe the change, including less frequent use of nearby spaces for resting and a clearer sense that people have somewhere else to go.

Encampment changes and next steps

Another reported shift involves fewer tents and structures along key stretches that previously saw regular activity. Local service providers confirm the numbers have fallen sharply compared with last year, moving from larger clusters to just a handful of sites. This reduction has eased pressure on nearby footpaths and improved access for pedestrians and deliveries.

The next formal update to council is scheduled for July 2, 2026. In the meantime, the plan continues to direct people toward existing support locations instead of simply shifting activity from one block to another. Business groups and residents can contact council offices directly for the latest details on how the measures are being rolled out.

These developments build on earlier observations that more uniforms on the street and better coordination with support agencies are starting to produce practical differences on the ground.