Published on 16 January 2017

With one month to go in a major community survey, Glen Eira residents and traders have shown they are keen to help shape the future of their local shopping centres. More than 1,000 people have completed Glen Eira City Council’s Tell us what you love about your shopping strip survey, which closes on 19 February.

Carnegie residents are leading the way, with 224 survey responses, followed by Murrumbeena, with 112 people completing the five minute, online survey. Next is Elsternwick (95), Bentleigh (73), McKinnon (68), and Patterson (66). More than 800 people have also posted comments on Facebook.

The survey responses will help shape Council’s vision and planning for 17 local shopping strips across Glen Eira.

Glen Eira Mayor Cr Mary Delahunty said Council was pleased with the response to date, and encouraged those who haven’t taken the survey to do so, at www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/yourshops

"I’m pleased that people are passionate about their local shopping strips," Cr Delahunty said.

"We are receiving detailed feedback about what people like and dislike about the centres, including strong support for local cafes and businesses."

Early survey results show that walking is the most popular method of accessing the shopping strips, followed by driving, riding and using public transport.

More than 70 per cent of people said they use their shopping strip for daily needs, with 74 per cent frequenting cafes. Thirty five per cent of respondents use retail outlets, 36 per cent meet friends at their shopping strip and 20 per cent enjoy the libraries. Weekly shopping was undertaken by 34 per cent of respondents.

As part of the survey, people are indicating the types of retail outlets they want to see, and sharing their views on levels of development, parking, green space and what makes their shopping strip unique.

"To date, almost 90 per cent of people taking the survey are aged 26 years or older," Cr Delahunty said. "We also want to hear from younger people in Glen Eira, and would love more people aged 25 and under to take part.

"Council is listening. This is your chance to tell us what makes your strip unique, what can be improved and what you’d like your shops to be like in 30 years’ time.

"Please visit www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/yourshops to take the five minute survey before it closes on 19 February."

The strips are Bentleigh, Carnegie, Elsternwick, Caulfield, Moorabbin, Glenhuntly, Alma Village, Bentleigh East, Caulfield Park, Caulfield South, Gardenvale, Hughesdale, McKinnon, Murrumbeena, Ormond, Patterson and Ripponlea. Tell us your thoughts, visit www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/yourshops