Project overview
Brimbank City Council is planning improvements to the St Albans Road Local Activity Centre to create a safer, more attractive, and accessible place for the community while supporting local businesses and economic activity.
The project has been designed in line with Council's Creating Streets for People Policy and Activity Centre Strategy and includes:
• New outdoor dining space adjacent to local businesses
• Additional seating, landscaping, and tree planting
• New paving and street furniture
• A protected shared user path connecting to the St Albans Road pedestrian crossing
• Reconfigured carparking, including a compliant accessible parking space
This project is supported by the Victorian Government through Business Victoria's Multicultural Business Precinct Revitalisation Program.
Timeline
Subject to approvals, construction is expected to commence in early 2027. Council will continue to keep businesses, residents and visitors informed of construction timing and measures to minimise disruption during the works.
Community Consultation
Council consulted with local businesses in May 2026, visiting businesses within the activity centre to discuss the Draft Concept Plan. Nearby residents were also notified by letter and invited to provide feedback on the plan.
What we heard
The main feedback received by the community on the Draft Concept Plan included:
• Concerns about anti-social behaviour within the activity centre
• Concerns about the reduction in carparking spaces
• Pedestrian safety concerns for pedestrians and drivers at the intersection of St Albans Road and Stradbroke Drive
• Reduced visibility for vehicles exiting Stradbroke Drive due to illegal parking
• Requests to remove the public payphone
How your feedback influenced the design
Council reviewed all feedback and made a number of changes to the Final Concept Plan as a result.
| Community feedback | Project response |
| Concerns about anti-social gathering | Reduced the amount of seating to discourage prolonged gatherings while maintaining places for visitors to rest. |
| Concerns about the loss of parking | Retained as many parking spaces as possible while meeting minimum safety standards and providing one compliant accessible space (resulting in a total reduction of two spaces) |
| Pedestrian safety concerns at the St Albans Road and Stradbroke Drive intersection | Added a raised pedestrian crossing to improve safety for pedestrians and drivers. |
| Illegal parking affecting visibility | Extended the garden bed and reconfigured the parking layout to discourage illegal parking and improve sight lines for vehicles exiting Stradbroke Drive. |
Public payphone
Council acknowledges the concerns raised by local traders and community members regarding use of the public payphone within the activity centre.
Some traders advised that the payphone was contributing to anti-social behaviour and creating safety concerns because of its location outside the medical centre and close to surrounding businesses. Some community members also questioned whether the payphone was needed, given the widespread use of mobile phones.
Why can't the payphone be removed?
The payphone is owned and operated by Telstra. Telstra has advised Council that removal of the payphone is not permitted under Commonwealth legislation.
As Australia's Universal Service Provider, Telstra is required to provide reasonably and equitably accessible payphone services across the country for emergency and lifeline purposes. Telstra advised that the payphone has a positive Net Social Benefit under the relevant legislation and must remain at this location.
Could the payphone be relocated?
Council investigated relocating the payphone to an alternative site. Any new location needed to comply with Telstra requirements for a nearby location, provide disability access, obtain necessary approvals, and avoid shifting concerns to another area including nearby residential areas.
It was determined there was not a suitable site that was practical for relocation and that could be delivered within the scope and budget of this project. Council appreciates the community’s feedback and confirms both removal and relocation options were fully investigated.
Final concept design
The Final Concept Design is shown in the plan and artist’s impression below.
If you have any questions about the project, please contact Council’s Urban Design Project Manager, Samira Eskandari, on phone: 9249 4000 or email: info@brimbank.vic.gov.au.
