The City of Greater Geelong has launched a new Nighttime Vibrancy Program to help create a more vibrant, welcoming and safe Little Malop Street hospitality precinct.
The program brings together local stakeholders through a Community of Practice, a year long engagement model designed to strengthen partnerships, share insights and co design practical solutions for the precinct.
Following an Expression of Interest process, the City appointed 29 members from across hospitality, business, arts, education, design and government sectors.
The program officially launched this week with the first Community of Practice session at Wurriki Nyal, with over 40 attendees including Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj, Cr Chris Burson, Cr Rowan Story AM, RFD, and representatives from Deakin University, Geelong Arts Centre, Committee for Geelong, Nyaal Banyul Exhibition and Event Centre and Victoria Police.
The Community of Practice will involve four facilitated sessions, led by industry experts, along with optional activities throughout the year such as night walks, activations and events.
Participants will also be eligible to apply for grants from a $30,000 funding included in the City’s 2026-27 Budget. The grants will support infrastructure improvements, creative installations, activations, events and other initiatives that contribute to a thriving nighttime precinct.
Little Malop Street was identified as a priority location through stakeholder feedback and data from Your Ground, a crowd sourced safety platform developed by Monash University’s XYX Lab, where targeted collaboration has the potential to deliver the greatest impact.
Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM:
Geelong’s nighttime precinct has enormous potential, and this program is about working together to make it more welcoming, inclusive and lively for everyone.
By bringing together the people who know this precinct best, we can test practical ideas, learn what works and build on that success to strengthen central Geelong after dark.
The strong turnout at the launch reflects the enthusiasm of local businesses, creatives and community partners to work together to shape the future of Little Malop Street.
Professor Nicole Kalms from Monash University’s XYX Lab:
This community of practice brings together people who understand that meaningful change happens through collaboration.
By sharing knowledge, evidence and lived experience, we can create more equitable outcomes across our cities and communities.
