CBD Master Plan
Just imagine...
We're entering a new chapter, as the City of Mount Gambier explores the development of a Central Business District (CBD) Master Plan to revitalise and help guide the long term future of the city centre.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the development of the Mount Gambier CBD Master Plan.
Council is preparing the Master Plan to provide a coordinated, long-term vision for the city centre and guide future decision-making, investment and partnerships. The process builds on previous community feedback, including the 2024 Place Score Study, and independent accessiblity audits of the CBD, together with research and specialist advice across urban design, movement, housing, heritage, economic development and place activation.
Listening and refining
The first major phase of consultation took place in March 2026, when a vacant shopfront at 24 Commercial Street West was transformed into a temporary project studio.
Over one week, residents, traders, property owners, workers, community organisations and visitors contributed through workshops, walking tours, informal conversations and online engagement.
This included:
- More than 110 participants in workshops and walking tours.
- More than 200 visitors to the project studio.
- 149 online contributions.
- More than 12,000 visits to the project webpage.
The feedback highlighted aspirations for a CBD that is more vibrant, welcoming, green and connected, while reflecting Mount Gambier’s distinctive culture, heritage and character. People also identified opportunities to support city living, improve movement and accessibility, strengthen local pride and encourage activity throughout the day and evening.
Testing the Big Ideas
Community feedback was considered alongside technical research and site analysis to develop six emerging Big Ideas which included:
- Commercial Street Public Domain Plan
- Civic Heart Rejuvenation
- Gray Street Upgrade
- City Greening Strategy
- City Creative Economy Strategy
- City Living Strategy
These were not final designs or funded projects. They were developed to test possible directions, encourage further discussion and check that the project team had correctly understood the community’s priorities rising from the previous studies and discussions in March.
Council recommenced community engagement in late August and early September, including returning to the Commercial Stret shoprfont from Monday 31 August to Wednesday 2 September to seek feedback on the Big Ideas through focused discussions and a second series of drop-in conversations. Over 200 people walked through the doors during this second round of engagement and 47 community members made 268 contributions to the big ideas (by providing feedback or voting for a comment) presented online during this same period.
What happens next?
The project team is now collating and analysing the feedback received during this latest consultation phase.
This feedback will be considered alongside further technical, economic and practical assessment. The Big Ideas will then be refined and brought together into a draft CBD Master Plan, including a proposed sequence of short, medium, and longer-term actions.
The Master Plan will not mean that every idea will happen immediately. It will provide a shared roadmap to help Council and its partners prioritise future work, coordinate investment and pursue funding opportunities with greater confidence. With small decisions being made about the CBD every day, this plan will ensure each action contributes to an agreed vision and strategic pathway.
Further information about the consultation findings and the next stage of the project will be shared with the community as the draft Master Plan is developed.
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
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Big Ideas Drop In Sessions Program
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Building on our conversations earlier this year, we're returning to our temporary shopfront at 24 Commercial Street West (formerly Youngs The Man's Shop) to share the latest ideas and opportunities being explored for the Mount Gambier CBD Master Plan. Drop in, explore the concepts, ask questions, and share your feedback.
We want to hear what's working, what could be improved, and what we've missed, so we can continue shaping a vibrant CBD that reflects the aspirations of our community
Drop-in from Monday 31 August to Wednesday 2 September, 9:00am - 7:00pm to learn more about the big ideas for the CBD, chat with the project team, and share your feedback.
Download the full program here, including public focus sessions for each of the 6 big ideas. .
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Introducing our Big Ideas
Share Introducing our Big Ideas on Facebook Share Introducing our Big Ideas on X (formerly Twitter) Share Introducing our Big Ideas on Linkedin Email Introducing our Big Ideas linkSharing the Big Ideas!
Alongside our own research and explorations, the project team defined 6 Big Ideas and returned to our shopfront at 24 Commercial Street to discuss them with our community.Take a detailed look at each of these ideas and the thinking behind them.
We also invited visitors to this page to share their thoughts on each of the ideas. Click on each of the images below to view the comments.
City Creative Economy Strategy
City Living Strategy -
Wrap up of our dicussions in March
Share Wrap up of our dicussions in March on Facebook Share Wrap up of our dicussions in March on X (formerly Twitter) Share Wrap up of our dicussions in March on Linkedin Email Wrap up of our dicussions in March linkHow our community is shaping this plan:
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. Participation included the following:
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.
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Join us for a week of CBD discussions
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From Monday 23 March to Friday 27 March 2026, we’ll be transforming the vacant shopfront at 24 Commercial Street West (formerly Youngs the Mans Shop) into a temporary project space — a lively hub for ideas, conversations and activity.
Throughout the week, the community is invited to drop in, explore opportunities and help shape the long‑term future of the city centre. Council is working with a team of leading experts who will be bringing insights and ideas to the conversation. You’re welcome to stop by anytime to chat with the project team or join themed workshops and conversations. Explore the program to find the session that speaks to you!
Download the full program here.
