Help develop a town centre that works for everyone
Published on 31 March 2026
Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting the community to help shape the future of our streets by participating in the Castlemaine town centre inclusive streets audit.
This work forms part of the Accessibility Study for Castlemaine. The study will identify infrastructure needs, recommend improvements and outline priority projects to improve safety and accessibility. The project is funded through the TAC Local Government Grants Program.
Partnering with Victoria Walks, Council is seeking lived-experience insights to better understand how accessible, inclusive, and safe the town centre is for all users.
The project focuses particularly on the needs of people living with disability, older adults, and families.
The feedback gathered over March and April will be used as expert evidence to inform future investment decisions for the shire.
Mount Alexander Shire Mayor, Toby Heydon said the audit was a vital step in ensuring the town remains welcoming for everyone.
"We want to ensure that our streets are safe and easy to navigate for people of all abilities," Cr Heydon said. "Your lived experience is expert evidence - you see the hazards we might miss, and your input will be used to help us prioritise future works."
Cr Heydon said improving the accessibility of Castlemaine’s town centre was an investment in the local economy. “An inclusive town centre attracts more people and that benefits local businesses.”
The community can participate in the audit through several channels:
Victoria Walks CEO, Sarah Pilgrim said the project is about more than just a survey.
"Every voice matters in this process," Ms Pilgrim said. "We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone to have their say on the future of Castlemaine's streets, whether that is through the survey, a session, or a one-on-one call."