2021-2023
Renew Initiatives Australia Pty Ltd has proudly worked alongside the Shopfront Activation Program’s funding partners The City of Melbourne and the Victorian State Government to deliver the Renew Docklands Program.
The program, based on Renew Australia’s managed project format offered applicants the opportunity to take on spaces in the Docklands under “rent-free” or low-cost agreements to trial their business or creative endeavour within a bricks-and-mortar location with minimal risk or overheads in the City of Melbourne.
“Our businesses in Docklands are going through a period of renewal themselves, and it is game-changing organisations like Renew Australia who have enabled us to provide them with unique opportunities to innovate and grow, whilst at the same time transforming our precinct and vacant spaces. The team are truly inspirational with an action orientated mindset that drives outcomes which are hard to believe possible. Plus, they are absolute superstars to work with and their genuine level of care for our location shows they are just as passionate as us about helping our businesses showcase themselves and what the one and only Docklands has to offer!”
– Docklands Chamber of Commerce representative
The project has had some incredible successes including 19 activations over 25 shopfronts, 4 conversions to lease, and taken a lot of hard work with 388 stakeholders contacted and 3654 days of OPEN shopfronts.
No activating is possible without our wonderful Renew Docklands participants who bring such creativity and energy to their shopfronts. We are delighted that four participants, after utilising the shopfronts rent-free as part of the program, have signed a lease making Docklands a more permanent home. This is a win for the participants who have been able to trial their idea in a commercial space with low overheads, and a win for the property owners and managers who have vibrant tenants in place.
Congratulations to Saint Kalaro, Your Locals, The Mbassy Dance Studio and Kindred Cameras who have signed a lease with the support of The District Docklands.
This whole experience has been amazing, we feel like we have achieved so much in the space, and have learnt so much through being a part of this experience. We have met some awesome people along the way, and are feeling really optimistic for staying here within The District for a long time frame.
– St Kalaro
Please download the information sheet below for more details and stats on Renew Docklands activation project.
View info sheet
You can also read all about what the program achieved here!