Bentleigh Eat Street

Following the adoption of the Bentleigh Structure Plan 2018-2031 in 2018, Council is excited to announce the first public space project for Bentleigh is underway.

What have we heard so far?

Through the development of the Bentleigh Structure Plan, we undertook six stages of community consultation. The community showed strong support for Eat Street, with suggestions of the area being activated, more passive community spaces to sit, rest and gather and expressed that it would create a 'heart' which the centre currently doesn't have. To view all the community feedback received, visit the Transforming Bentleigh Together page.

In 2018, we asked the community what features and uses could be considered in the design. You can view the summary of feedback received below.

Stage 1 - Bentleigh Plaza redesign community feedback.

Earlier this year we sought feedback on the concept design for the project. You can view a summary of the feedback received below.

Stage 2 - Bentleigh Eat Street Concept Design community feedback.

Current consultation

Council is progressing with its plans for the redevelopment of the Bentleigh Plaza site as part of the Bentleigh Eat Street public realm improvement project. This includes relocating the existing pedestrian crossing point at Centre Road and improving the connection into Vickery Street.

While the overall design is now well established, a decision regarding proposed changes to Vickery Street - which would see a section of Vickery Street made one-way northbound between Centre Road and the car parks (see map) - is still to be resolved.

These changes are required in order to create a pedestrianised area with outdoor seating, activated by cafes, restaurants and bars which is a key element to the success of the project.

Any feedback on the proposed changes should be sent to

Eat-Street@gleneira.vic.gov.au by Friday 30 August 2019.

Feedback will be presented to Council at an Ordinary Council meeting in September 2019 where a final resolution regarding whether to proceed with the proposed Vickery Street changes will be made.

What is the timeframe for this project?

This Bentleigh Eat Street project will be delivered all together instead of a staged process as initially planned.

Detailed designs will be completed this year and it is anticipated that construction will commence in early 2020.

What is the Bentleigh Eat Street project?

The Bentleigh Eat Street project outlines a vision to create a pedestrian-friendly mall area with outdoor seating, activated by cafes, restaurants and bars with increased trading hours.

The project will involve a complete redesign of the existing rotunda and road configurations of Vickery Street to add depth to the linear retail strip.

It is envisaged that the new Eat Street will be an inviting green space with large canopy trees, outdoor seating and activated by cafes, restaurants and bars, with increased trading hours. The vision is for Eat Street to grow upon the emerging cafe and restaurant culture in Bentleigh, which in turn supports an increased retail presence.

For further information, visit the Transforming Bentleigh Together page.

Residents and traders have told us that they want the plaza area to be a more usable space and create a heart for Bentleigh, an inviting place for the community to gather. We are now seeking your feedback on how we can enhance the experience that people have when visiting the Bentleigh centre, by creating a space that caters for a range of purposes, day and night, all year round.