A record investment in street cleaning and new lantern-look light installations is enhancing the CBD’s historic Chinatown and attracting more visitors, thanks to the City of Melbourne.
More than $1 million will be spent on high-pressure cleaning across the city, with a focus on the Chinatown precinct.
Council will also spend over $150,000 on new light installations to improve visibility and accessibility, while also ramping up street cleaning to keep visitors flowing.
Works to install the new lighting will commence in the coming months and will take approximately four weeks to complete.
The newly established Melbourne Chinatown Association will also receive a grant of up to $90,000 this financial year thanks to Council’s Business Precinct Program.
The funds will be used to support a range of new events and activities to drive visitation and spend in the Chinatown precinct.
Chinatown continues to prove itself as a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, with pedestrian activity for the precinct reaching 95 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in June.
Winter activations including RISING festival have also boosted visitation in and around the area. At its peak, RISING saw night-time pedestrian activity surpass pre-COVID levels by around 39 per cent.
Chinatown street cleaning efforts follow the City of Melbourne’s recent four-month Graffiti Blitz, which saw Council’s Rapid Response Clean Team respond to more than 9,000 jobs across the municipality, including more than 6,000 in the CBD alone.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Sally Capp
“Melbourne’s Chinatown is ranked among the world’s top 10 – so it comes as no surprise that after a tough two years, it’s back on its feet, full of life again.”
“We’re ramping up cleaning efforts and delivering the infrastructure local traders need to attract more visitors and boost business.”
“This ongoing investment will ensure the Chinatown precinct remains a popular city hot-spot for many years to come.”
Quotes attributable to Business and Global Opportunities portfolio lead Councillor Kevin Louey
“As the longest continuous Chinese settlement in Australia, Chinatown is one of the city’s top tourist attractions and an iconic part of Melbourne.”
“We’re proud to invest and work alongside local businesses in Chinatown to ensure our iconic precinct continues to grow and strengthen after the pandemic.”
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