We're improving Dickins Corner shopping strip, located at the busy intersection of Doncaster and Burke roads in Balwyn North. The aim is to:

  • enhance the shopping strip’s appearance
  • add more greenery while minimising any loss of car parking
  • improve accessibility and safety for pedestrians.

The final design

We have finalised the design and, subject to approvals from the Department of Transport and Planning, we expect to start works from mid-January 2025. Improvements will include:

  • upgrading the footpaths using asphalt
  • installing public furniture like seating, bins and bicycle hoops
  • greening the shopping strip by installing garden beds and stainless-steel climbing frames for jasmine plants to grow on
  • adding more shade to the shopping strip and car parks by planting 12 new trees (shown as pink circles on the plan below)
  • making some kerb and level adjustments to the north side of Maud Street near Burke Road to create more separation between the car parks and the footpath.

You can view the final design by selecting the hotspots in the map below.

Base map showing Dickins Corner shopping strip.

Please note: All design elements shown are subject to change based on final budget review, authority approvals and site conditions.

Community consultation

In August and September 2023, we asked you for feedback on the proposed streetscape and parking upgrades at Dickins Corner shopping strip. We received feedback from 65 community members, most visit and/or live nearby the strip.

We received general support for the improvements, particularly on proposal to add trees and greenery to the Doncaster Road carpark next to the Balwyn North Pharmacy.

We heard concerns about potential impact of proposed parking changes to surrounding streets. Given the low response rate and lack of support from traders and businesses, we will not proceed with the proposal. More information about this decision is available below.

Our community would also like to see improvements to pedestrian and cyclist safety, and infrastructure or access for public transport. We will advocate these improvements to the Victorian Government.

From Monday 21 August to 5 pm Sunday 10 September 2023, community members, business operators and commercial property owners/landlords were invited to provide feedback on converting some car parking spaces into space for new trees.

In the past, some businesses in the shopping strip made requests for additional permit and medium-term parking spaces in the Council-owned car park. In line with our Parking Management Policy and Procedures 2017, business operators in this shopping area were also invited to provide feedback on:

  • converting nine of the ‘Unrestricted’ parking spaces on the eastern boundary of the car park to ‘Trader Permit Zone’ parking spaces
  • changing nine 2-hour parking spots into 4-hour parking spots.

We visited all businesses in the area and sent letters inviting their feedback on this proposal. Only one business provided feedback during the consultation.

Given the very low response rate, in line with our Parking Management Policy and Procedures (2017), these proposed parking changes won’t happen.

For more information about this decision, contact our Traffic and Transport team at boroondara@boroondara.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9278 4444.

What happens next

Subject to approval from the Department of Transport and Planning, work is expected to start from mid-January 2025 and be completed by mid-May 2025 (weather permitting).