The Strathmore Neighbourhood Project has helped revitalise the popular Woodland Street trader strip and encourage the residents to experience their local community, announces Moonee Valley City Council.
The project has included the delivery of a parklet, street beautification works, and a mobile library service over the past 18 months, something Moonee Valley Mayor, Cr Cam Nation says is a key part of Council’s long-term MV2040 vision for 20-minute neighbourhoods.
“These significant works and activations in Woodland Street not only add to the overall streetscape but encourage locals to visit and utilise services in their own neighbourhood,” Mayor Nation said. “The Library on the Move is one of many Community Lounge initiatives. The mobile library will be a huge win not only for the Strathmore community, but for all neighbourhoods within the City, making it easier for them to access a range of library books, resources, programs and events.”
The project has also been complemented by a COVID-19 Recovery Arts Initiative with artists Yuria Okamura and Jack Rowland creating a series of site responsive artworks along Woodland Street. The public art project was funded through the State Government’s Working for Victoria initiative.
The project and activations aim to support the Woodland Street trader strip, encouraging the community to live and shop local during the pandemic and beyond.
“These are real examples of how art is used to support recovery, how we deliver commitments within MV2040 in ‘Beautiful and Thriving’, and more importantly, how we’re creating a healthy city” Mayor Nation said. “As part of MV2040, our aim is to have a thriving city with the vision of having diverse arts projects available to community members of all ages throughout our neighbourhoods.”
A spokesperson for Accountant Moonee Valley said, "The Strathmore Neighbourhood Project has helped revitalise the area, and I suspect it will have a positive economic impact on local businesses in Strathmore and the city of Moonee Valley."
Council has been delivering the Strathmore Neighbourhood Project as part of State Government funding from the Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions, and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.