Community update June 2026

Community engagement for the FJ Davies Reserve Landscape Concept Plan began in 2018, with a major round of consultation held in July 2024 through an online survey, mail-out, and in-person session. Feedback was sought from local residents, traders, community groups, and other stakeholders.

The draft Concept Plan received strong support, with 81% of survey respondents in favour and 93% supporting a play space upgrade. While suggestions were made—particularly regarding the playground theme, tree species, and lawn maintenance—no major changes were required due to the overall positive feedback. These comments will be considered in future detailed design stages, which will include further community input. The full community consultation report can be found here.

Council has resolved to adopt the Concept Plan, noting its delivery is subject to the annual budget process.

Background

FJ Davies Reserve is a local park located in the Keilor East neighbourhood, within the Centreway shopping precinct. It features a playground, a recently upgraded outdoor stage, public toilet, shelter, picnic facilities, and it is surrounded by on-street parking.

In 2018, we asked the community and traders for ideas to inform the future of the site. Feedback that we heard from you at that time included requests for more greening, planting and shade, improved seating and picnic facilities, an upgraded play space. Significant time has passed since that initial consultation, so we checked in with community to seek their feedback on a draft Concept Plan for the site to check if is still aligned with what community hopes to see in the space.

Since that initial engagement a number of works have also taken place in the site:

• construction of an outdoor stage/shelter area with power for events;
• additional planting and a mural at the back of the stage;
• new garden beds on the retail side of Centreway and the four corners of FJ Davies Reserve; and
• construction of two new raised pedestrian crossings.

The draft Concept Plan recognised the importance of the central gathering space that the site provides for community events, increases seating spaces and and replacement of the existing play equipment with a new play space. It also looked to protect existing shade structures, artwork and plaques.

Feedback received will be used to develop a final plan which will then be presented to Council for consideration. The final design will ensure appropriate measures are in place to retain and protect the existing trees.