FAQs

In 2024, we asked you what you thought was special about our CBD and what you believed were the priorities for the future. We also looked at how the city centre is performing against a range of national benchmarks.

Feedback highlighted a range of opportunities, including:

• Finding a better balance between cars and people in streets and public spaces
• Exploring opportunities for inner-city living
• Supporting a stronger evening and after-hours economy
• Investing in greening and shade
• Strengthening commercial vibrancy
• Better celebrating Mount Gambier’s unique identity and character

Further detail about what we heard can be found here.

This helped to guide Council in defining the focus areas for the Master Plan to explore in more detail and we've sought the services of a range of technical experts to assist us in developing a CBD Master Plan which will identify the actions required to improve the CBD. 

Over a week in March 2026, we transformed a vacant shopfront at 24 Commercial Street West into a space to have conversations about the CBD – we heard what you love, what’s working well, and where it could do with some support.

We spent the week speaking to traders, business owners, creatives, developers, history-lovers, shoppers, shift workers, Council staff across a range of departments, and community members to gain a deeper understanding of what’s happening in the CBD. 

We heard you want the Master Plan to:

• Support local, authentic vibrancy that invites people to want to linger and return at all times of day, night, and year.
• Reflect local pride through improved maintenance, cleanliness and consistent presentation.
• Use trees, plants and nature to improve weather protection, walkability, ecological value, and local identity.
• Embed stories into everyday places so that culture, heritage and identity are experienced, not just explained.
• Encourage diverse housing and accommodation options that help make the CBD a great place to live and stay
• Prioritise walking and cycling in the CBD to improve safety, comfort, independence and connectivity.

Alongside our own research and explorations, we’ve come up with some Big Ideas – and we’re returning to our drop-in space at Commercial Street West to test them with you.

We know these won’t happen overnight, so the final Master Plan will also include some short, medium and longer term actions to help the CBD gradually evolve.

We invite you to: 

1. Take a detailed look at each of the big ideas and the thinking behind them; 
2. Visit the feedback pages for each of the ideas, explore the questions and share your feedback. 
3. Drop in for a conversation in our space at 24 Commercial Street West (formerly Youngs the Man's Shop) from 9am – 7pm, Monday 31 August – Wednesday 2 September
4. Join us for a focussed discussion about a big idea that’s important to you – check out the program for all the information.

Feedback via this page closes at 9:00pm on Sunday 6 September 2026.

If you have any further questions about the CBD Master Plan, please contact us on (08) 8721 2555 during office hours or email city@mountgambier.sa.gov.au

Yes. Our consultation shopfront is located at 24 Commercial Street West (formerly Youngs the Man's Shop) and has two step-free entrances via automatic doors:

• Directly from Commercial Street West
• Via Commerce Arcade

Several designated accessible parking spaces are available in Commerce Place, at the rear of the venue, with access through Commerce Arcade.

Accessible seating, including raised and adjustable chairs with armrests, is available within the workshop space.

Accessible toilet facilities are available within the building, as well as in the public amenities located in Commerce Arcade.

We are committed to making participation in this consultation as accessible as possible. If there is anything we can do to support your involvement, please contact the project team before you visit by calling (08) 8721 2500 to discuss your needs.

If you have any questions about the CBD Master Plan program, feel free to contact us on (08) 8721 2555 during office hours. You can also e-mail us at city@mountgambier.sa.gov.au