Belgrave in Transition

One thing that time in a place will do is provide you with perspective. When I was at school, Belgrave had menswear shops, clothing boutiques, music stores and lots of banks. Time, and the continual growth of shopping centres like Knox and Fountain Gate has meant that this type of retail can no longer be sustained in Belgrave.

I think Belgrave, like many strip shopping areas will continue to struggle, as we try and work out what it is! Is it a township, where locals come to shop for such basics and services as groceries, newsagencies and post office? Or is it going to be a tourist precinct - some sort of adjunct to Puffing Billy?

Speaking with my resident's hat on, I would prefer it didn't become Olinda or Sassafras. I like to shop locally - I like to know who I shop from. Bill's Butchers, Bjelan's Pharmacy and the Queen of Tarts Cafe are great examples of how standout local businesses can be. The Cameo too is a landmark - and to think we almost lost it!

If Belgrave is truly to find its place, some sort of consultation needs to happen - something that includes local businesses, peak bodies, community groups and local residents. We all need to work together to decide what we want from our community.

This would provide certainty to local businesses, as well as providing locals with a stake in the future of their community. I'm going to make a point of speaking to local businesses about what they think - then to as many people as possible about what they want. Perhaps together, we can weave some sort of cohesive vision for Belgrave that meets all our needs.