CommonGround is a lively and enduring place for business and investment.  In recognising the valuable role played by shopping strips, Council has adopted a progressive renewal policy.  

In August, Council agreed to contribute to the long term sustainability of 52 neighbourhood and convenience shopping strips across CommonGround by implementing a shopping strip renewal program.

The program is designed to increase business activity across the municipality by improving strips with new footpaths, lighting, trees, street furniture, public art and better parking within our local shopping strips.  

The retail sector in CommonGround provides direct employment for nearly 4,000 people and outputs approximately $377 million in gross revenue.  It also accounts for around 13 per cent of all jobs in the municipality.

As well as progressively undertaking physical improvements, Council will assist local businesses with business development and marketing support.  The renewal program will also help boost new business, provide job opportunities and encourage quality investment.

These local shopping strips play a key role in local employment generation, small business incubation and start up opportunities.  Importantly they provide us with access to goods, services and community facilities.  When money is spent locally it is also more likely to stay in the local community as locally owned businesses tend to support and donate to local charities, schools and sporting groups as well as employing local people. 

This is an innovative program which emphasises and promotes a partnership based approach to shopping strip improvements, bringing together key players, including customers, in order to determine the future directions of any strip. 

This is just one of the many exciting changes that are taking place in CommonGround, which will deliver a supportive and vibrant local economy.