Thank you for providing feedback on the draft Public Realm Concept Plan and Diamond Village 2041 Strategy.

Council will consider a report at its meeting on 13 July 2026 that outlines what we heard during Stage 2 community engagement. The report will recommend adopting updated versions of the Public Realm Concept Plan and Diamond Village 2041 Strategy, with changes made following consideration of community feedback.

To view the meeting agenda and papers and to request to speak about the Public Realm Concept Plan and Diamond Village 2041 Strategy, go to Council's website.

What we heard

Find out 'what we heard' during stage 2 engagement

Background

About Diamond Village

Diamond Village Shopping Centre is in the heart of Watsonia. Located at 78 Nepean Street, it's been part of the community since the 1970s and remains an important place for people who live in Watsonia and Greensborough.

The centre has a mix of locally owned shops, and nearby you'll find the Delta Road Playground and Traffic Park, which links back to the area’s history when the VicRoads office was located nearby.

Based on feedback from the Banyule Futures community engagement in 2024, this project aims to make Diamond Village a safer and easier place to visit. It also supports Council and State Government plans to make local centres welcoming, inclusive, attractive and easy for everyone to access.

Stage 1 engagement

Community engagement

From 8 September to 20 October 2025, 550 people shared their ideas through an online survey, and almost 50 people gave feedback at the pop-up sessions and walking tours, helping to improve our understanding of the community's needs and priorities for Diamond Village.

View the full findings report.

What we asked

  • Usage and purpose

    • How often do you visit Diamond Village and surrounds?
    • Why do you visit the centre?
    • Hw do you travel to the Centre?

  • Access, safety and movement

    • Is it safe for you to get to and from Diamond Village?
    • What would make travel safer?
    • Is it easy for you to get t and from the Centre?
    • What would make travel easier?

  • Peoples views on the Centre

    • What do you think about Diamond VIllage?
    • Does the Centre offer enough shops and service to meet community needs?
    • What additional shops or services would you like to see?


  • How the facilities work together

    • Do you use facilities close to Diamond VIllage?
    • What are they and are they easy to access?

  • Improvements and ideas

    Are there any spots in or around the centre that work well or need improving?

    Do you have any other ideas to help improve Diamond Village and surrounds?

What we heard

  • Public toilets

    There is an urgent need for public toilets for people using the shopping centre and the park.

  • Easy and local shopping

    The community likes the centre because it feels local and is easy to get to.

  • Poor shop diversity / appearance

    The shopping centre looks run-down and does not offer enough shops or services for local needs.

  • Unsafe to get around

    Getting around the centre is unsafe for cars, cyclists and pedestrians, especially when walking from the shops to Delta Reserve across the car park.

  • More at Delta Reserve

    Delta Reserve is well-loved by the community but needs more facilities, such as BBQs and extra shade, not just toilets.

The feedback from Stage 1 community engagement was used to help draft the high-level concept plan for public realm upgrades and the 15-year Diamond Village 2041.

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