You told us the current public toilet feels a bit unsafe — especially because it’s large, sits close to the footpath, and blocks views into the space. In response, we’re reducing the overall footprint of the toilet to open up the area and improve visibility for pedestrians.

We’re also exploring small-scale lighting options to help make the area feel safer at night.

Cleanliness was another key concern. While the design of the new toilet will be confirmed through a future tender, we’re prioritising materials that are easy to maintain and allow for natural ventilation.

We also heard a strong preference for non-automated toilets, which are generally more accessible and inclusive for our diverse community.

You asked for more green space — and we agree!

We’re adding new garden beds and redesigning their layout to make the space more inviting. These will feature native plants suited to our local climate, helping support biodiversity and add colour and life to the street.

We’re upgrading the existing seating while keeping the variety you said you liked — including a mix of benches and picnic tables.

We’re replacing the current shade umbrellas with custom arbours featuring climbing plants — and we’ll extend these across both sides of Staniland Grove.

We also heard your preference for natural shade options, so we’re planting six new canopy trees to provide long-term cooling and comfort. This will include the replacement of an existing street tree on Staniland Grove — with a tree species that better supports local biodiversity.

To bring some extra colour and local character to the area, we’re planning a mural on the exterior wall of the Australia Post building. We want to hear your ideas to inspire this artwork — share your thoughts in the survey below.

We’re improving pedestrian safety by installing a raised pedestrian crossing — and removing the fencing to improve access.

We’re keeping the things you’ve said are important and useful like the drinking fountain and the defibrillator.

While significant improvements to the Elsternwick Library forecourt and car park are outside the scope of the Better Streets, Better Places project, we’ve found opportunities to make small improvements. We’ll be planting two canopy trees near the southern car park entrance to add some welcome greenery and shade.

Based on your feedback, we're also exploring some minor renewal works to improve the look and feel of the library entrance.