Planning a vision for the city centre

THE City of Mount Gambier has progressed to the next stage of its Central Business District (CBD) Master Plan, with strong community and stakeholder participation helping to shape the future vision for the city centre.

At the April 2026 Council meeting, council received a report outlining recent consultation outcomes, progress to date, and the next phase of work on the CBD Master Plan, outlining a long term strategic initiative to guide the ongoing evolution of Mount Gambier’s city centre as a vibrant economic, social and civic hub.

Last last year, council engaged Tract Landscape Architects and Planners to lead the preparation of the master plan, supported by specialist consultants in urban design, housing, traffic and movement, heritage, place activation and economic development.

The first phase of community and stakeholder engagement took place in March 2026 using a ‘charrette’ approach.

City of Mount Gambier general manager people, place and liveability Chris White said a charrette is an intensive workshop bringing designers, stakeholders and community members together to develop a shared and practical vision for a project.

“This process helps speed up decision making and builds consensus by allowing stakeholders to directly contribute to the design process,” Mr White said.

A vacant shopfront on Commercial Street West was transformed into a temporary project studio, providing a visible and accessible space for the community to engage directly with the project team.

During the consultation week:

More than 110 people participated in facilitated workshops and guided walking tours.

More than 200 people visited the project studio in person.

149 online submissions were received via Have Your Say Mount Gambier.

The project webpage recorded more than 12,000 visits.

City of Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin said the level of community engagement demonstrated just how strongly local people care about the future of the city centre.

“Our CBD is the heart of Mount Gambier, and it is clear our community has strong aspirations for how it should look, feel and function into the future,” Mayor Martin said.

Initial analysis of community feedback identified six key themes to inform the next stage of the master plan:

City vibrancy – a desire for a lively, safe, and active CBD beyond business hours, with everyday activity and improved lighting.

City pride – the importance of cleanliness, maintenance and streetscape consistency, further lifting confidence in our inner-city and improving first impressions.

City greening – functional greening, biodiversity, shade, weather protection and native planting.

City stories – embedding Mount Gambier’s geological, cultural and heritage stories, including Boandik culture, into the public realm.

City living – support for more housing in and around the CBD, particularly options such as townhouses and small apartment buildings.

City movement – a shift toward slower speeds, safer crossings, wider footpaths and improved wayfinding to improve accessibility and the overall experience of the CBD.

Exploring the city at night on a guided walking tour.

“The feedback we have received reflects a genuine desire for a city centre that is lively, welcoming and people focused, while still respecting our heritage and strengthening local business,” Mayor Martin said.

“This has been a highly considered and evidence based process, building on years of strategic work and recent technical studies, while putting community voices front and centre,” Mr White said.

“What we’re hearing is a strong appetite for practical, achievable improvements that make the CBD more comfortable, connected and active every day, not just during major events.”

The project team will continue reviewing feedback to shape the developing vision, strategic directions and layout ideas for the CBD Master Plan.

Further targeted community engagement is planned for early June 2026 to help shape the draft master plan before it is finalised and presented to Council for consideration. Details of further engagement opportunities will be made available in due course.