19 February

For many years, Victoria Street Richmond faced significant challenges. Despite its rich multicultural heritage, renowned food culture and strategic location close to Melbourne's CBD, the precinct struggled with public safety concerns, declining confidence, vacant shops and fragmented responses from different levels of government.

Today, Victoria Street is demonstrating that decline is not inevitable. Through collaboration between traders, community organisations, the City of Yarra, the Victorian Government and Victoria Police, the precinct is beginning a new chapter focused on safety, investment and revitalisation.

Safety First

One of the most important lessons from Victoria Street's experience is that safety is the foundation of economic recovery.

Improved police visibility, targeted enforcement, better lighting, CCTV investment and stronger coordination between agencies have helped improve confidence for traders, residents and visitors. When people feel safe, they are more likely to visit, shop, dine and spend time in the precinct.

Investing in Place

Revitalisation is about more than addressing challenges. It is also about creating reasons for people to return.

Recent and proposed improvements include streetscape upgrades, greening projects, public space improvements, better pedestrian connections, community facilities and support for new investment. These initiatives help reinforce Victoria Street as a destination for dining, shopping, culture and community life.

Bringing People Back

Events, festivals and community activations have played a critical role in rebuilding foot traffic and strengthening local identity.

From the Lunar Festival and Moon Lantern Festival to trader promotions, cultural events and community projects, Victoria Street continues to celebrate the multicultural character that has made it one of Melbourne's most unique shopping and dining precincts.

Strong Leadership Matters

Successful revitalisation requires clear leadership and ongoing collaboration.

The Victoria Street Business Association continues to work with traders, residents, Council, government agencies and community partners to advocate for practical solutions that improve safety, support businesses and enhance the visitor experience.

Looking Ahead

Victoria Street's experience shows that recovery happens when safety, investment, activation and leadership work together.

The precinct is far from finished, but positive progress is being made. With continued collaboration and commitment, Victoria Street can continue evolving into a safer, greener and more vibrant destination for residents, visitors and businesses alike.

As we look to the next fifty years, Victoria Street remains a powerful example of how multicultural communities, local businesses and government can work together to create lasting change.

The Victoria Street Business Association strongly supports the City of Yarra's Victoria Street Revitalisation Project and the long-term vision to strengthen one of Melbourne's most important multicultural precincts.

The revitalisation strategy recognises what traders, residents and visitors have known for years: Victoria Street has enormous potential. It is a culturally significant destination, home to generations of migrant-owned businesses, a thriving food culture and an important gateway between Richmond, Abbotsford and Melbourne's inner north.

We support Council's commitment to improving public spaces, encouraging investment, attracting visitors and creating a more vibrant and welcoming street.

However, revitalisation must be measured not only by plans and consultation, but by visible outcomes that people can see and feel.

Safety Must Be the First Priority

The business community consistently identifies safety and public amenity as the most significant barriers to growth and investment.

Customers need to feel safe visiting the precinct. Staff need to feel safe travelling to and from work. Traders need confidence to invest, extend trading hours and grow their businesses.

Without a visible improvement in safety, many of the benefits of revitalisation will be difficult to achieve.

This requires a coordinated response involving:

• Victoria Police
• City of Yarra
• Victorian Government
• Health and social service providers
• Local businesses and community organisations

A cleaner, safer and better-managed public environment will encourage visitation, support local businesses and build community confidence.

Supporting Local Business Growth

The Victoria Street revitalisation vision aligns closely with what local traders have been advocating for:

• More visitors and foot traffic
• Better public spaces and streetscapes
• Improved lighting and cleanliness
• Stronger support for multicultural businesses
• Events and cultural activations
• Investment attraction and business growth

Victoria Street businesses are already investing in the future of the precinct. What is needed now is ongoing support that helps traders succeed and encourages new businesses to establish themselves in the area.

A Precinct Worth Investing In

Victoria Street is not simply a shopping strip. It is one of Victoria's most recognised multicultural destinations and an important economic and cultural asset.

With the right support, Victoria Street can become:

• A leading multicultural dining destination
• A vibrant community and tourism precinct
• A place for new investment and jobs
• A welcoming gateway to Richmond and Abbotsford
• A model for main street revitalisation across Melbourne

Working Together

The Victoria Street Business Association is committed to working with the City of Yarra, Victorian Government, traders, residents and community partners to help deliver this vision.

We support the revitalisation project and welcome the investment already committed.

At the same time, we encourage all levels of government to continue prioritising safety, public amenity and visible improvements on the ground.

When people can see cleaner streets, safer public spaces, thriving businesses and more visitors, confidence returns.

Victoria Street's future is bright. Together we can ensure revitalisation delivers lasting benefits for businesses, residents, visitors and the broader community.

Together We Thrive.

12 November 2025

The Victoria Street Business Association Inc (VSBA) welcomes Council’s motion regarding the Medically Supervised Injecting Room and calls for stronger, coordinated action to restore safety, confidence and pride across Victoria Street and North Richmond.

Victoria Street traders recognise the importance of health and support services for vulnerable people. However, local businesses, residents and visitors continue to experience serious public safety and amenity issues, including open drug use, street dealing, theft, antisocial behaviour and people sleeping rough in highly visible public areas.

VSBA President Ha Nguyen said the community needs practical action that balances health responses with safety, business confidence and neighbourhood renewal.

“Our community deserves safety, pride and a real chance to revive Victoria Street,” Ms Nguyen said.

“The injecting room may support some people, but the wider street environment has become increasingly difficult for traders, residents and visitors. Safety must come first for everyone.”

VSBA said the revitalisation of Victoria Street cannot succeed without a coordinated response from Council, the Victorian Government, Victoria Police, health services and community organisations.

“We are all committed to reviving the street, but we cannot take one step forward and two steps back,” Ms Nguyen said.

“Investment in the precinct must be supported by visible safety measures, better outreach, cleaner streets and stronger accountability.”

VSBA is calling for a practical precinct response that includes:

• A visible, community-focused police presence to deter crime and antisocial behaviour
• Targeted support for vulnerable people, including outreach, housing pathways, treatment and mental health services
• Improved street cleaning, lighting, wayfinding and public maintenance
• Stronger trader and resident engagement
• Transparent reporting so the community can track progress and outcomes

Victoria Street traders remain proud of the precinct and optimistic about its future. With clear leadership and coordinated action, VSBA believes Victoria Street can once again be a safe, vibrant and respected main street for everyone who lives, works, visits and invests in the area.