CBD laneways explore ways to connect

When the “convenors” of Guildford and Hosier lanes met they wanted to find ways of collaborating with each other and other laneways on their inspiring work. A recent workshop run by Regen Melbourne helped to explore the issues.

When social architect Katherine McPherson first tried putting plants out, after she and her husband moved to Guildford Lane from South Melbourne more than 20 years ago, they were gone within 10 days.

A decade later she tried again.

By then the neighbourhood had changed.

The motorbike mechanics had mainly gone, and a couple of art galleries had opened up along with the first corner café.

There was foot traffic, she said, and “curiosity about the plants”.

In response “small gestures of gratitude” started to appear and be reported – a watercolour of some plants left in the lane; news that residents of the nearby social housing units had become protective of the geraniums.

The real turning point came with the City of Melbourne’s 2015-16 pilot greening project.

“That project was the catalyst, and the council’s efforts in bringing us together to meet on a regular basis and come up with a vision together was the key – something that galvanised the community,” Katherine told CBD News.

It also involved her swearing to look after the plants.

“I’m a good girl scout, my word is my bond, and also, they said, literally, ‘if you don’t do this, we will take the plants we’ve contributed away’.”

The expanding potted greenery “changed the ecology” of the lane, according to one long-term local shopkeeper – Wilson from Matcha Inc – creating “an oasis” just a block from the CBD.

It also created a meeting place – for visitors, who come with their friends and families, cameras, tour groups and occasionally, wedding parties – as well as for local residents.

“You walk your dog, you’re out there watering the plants, you have a chit chat, you have a cup of tea,” Katherine said.

I would come down in the mornings and have my coffee, or I would sit and knit, and it was a real place to just be and observe, and you would meet people.

Among those she met, casually and at organised gardening talks, was a neighbour who recruited her to the Gardens for Wildlife program and people from other small city laneways who were interested in native gardening and in what Guildford Lane had achieved.

Meanwhile Nina Sharpe, who is the head of a liveable streets project at Regen Melbourne, had been working with Katherine’s counterpart at Hosier Lane.

Robyn Bunting had received financial support for 12 months to coordinate development and activities in the popular graffitied lane.

“She was funded by a local philanthropist to work as a lead convener, to amplify the community voice and to activate the laneway, essentially,” Nina said.

When Nina introduced Katherine and Robyn, they of course hit it off, she said.

Out of their relationship and links to other laneway groups the idea of a workshop arose.

An October 30 event, organised by Regen Melbourne, saw people representing 15 laneways come together at Melbourne Town Hall to discuss ways of sharing resources and working together.

“It was one of the most professional and inspiring workshops I have ever been to,” Katherine said.

The workshop helped connect the laneways – among them Drewery and Driver lanes, Coromandel Place and Baptist Place – with a messaging group established and social events planned.

It also identified both challenges and solutions, Nina said.

“They’re now having conversations about Neighbour Day and lighting and how to more effectively work with council, and there’s a long list of other things.”

“But in order to keep working together like that they are going to need ongoing support.”

That probably had to come through some form of funding, she suggested.

“Maybe street by street it’s unrealistic to have paid conveners, but is there a ‘laneways of Melbourne CBD convenor’ who’s funded?”

“That is not a ridiculous idea.” •