Better City Streets: What we heard

We’ve just released the Better City Streets listening report, which summarises feedback received during the consultation period from
26 November 2024 - 26 February 2025.

People walking across Northbourne Avenue in Canberra with green trees and traffic in the background

We received 2,731 pieces of feedback from hundreds of people on proposed designs for Dickson Group Centre, Cooyong Street, Alinga Street and City Walk to make it easier, safer and more attractive to move around.

Feedback focused on proposed upgrades including:

Wider footpaths for better pedestrian flow and safety.
Reduced travel time for quicker movement.
Green spaces and trees for shade and improved air quality.
Street furniture and outdoor dining to support local businesses.
Improved crossings for safer transit.
Better links to public transport for easy access.

More than 600 people participated in the collaborative engagement process through onsite pop-up events, business drop-in sessions, online YourSay surveys, and printed materials, just to name a few.

Community members speak with members of the City Renewal team about proposed upgrades in Dickson. A table and red marquee is set up in Woolley Street plaza with the Lunar New Year dragon sculpture in the background and a City renewal pull up banner that is orange and colourful

Your valuable feedback has been compiled in a detailed listening report and published on YourSay. You told us what you liked and disliked about the designs and shared your experiences in using the areas.

You also told us that you value safe and walkable streets with a focus on the pedestrian experience, with increased shade, outdoor dining, reduced speed limits and traffic calming measures.

A view of Civic square looking across Ainslie Place with colourful umbrellas and tables, a sculpture and the Canberra Theatre Centre, fountain and people in the background

Community feedback plays a crucial role in refining designs before we can progress to the next phase of each project. As a result, we will strongly consider feedback and make appropriate updates.

Some actions we will take include:

Updating paving, lighting, and street furniture.
Reducing the impact of hard surfaces.
Increasing tree canopy and enhancing user comfort and aesthetic.
Ensuring future detailed designs comply with the Building Codes of Australia (BCA) and the Disability Standards to enhance walkability and improve universal accessibility.
Decluttering pedestrian areas with new functional and attractive spaces to sit and meet outside.
Working closely with Transport Canberra and City Services, ACT Policing and, Justice and Community Services to make sure final designs prioritise safety with better lighting, level pavements and social spaces that increase natural surveillance.

To find out more about Better City Streets and read the listening report, visit YourSay Conversations.

Illuminating First Nations culture in Garema Place

Community feedback published in Acton Waterfront Neighbourhood Listening Report