Bendigo Council has now agreed to move ahead with reopening Hargreaves Mall to low-speed, one-way traffic, a move aimed at bringing more life, business activity and confidence back into its city centre. The plan has been reported as a 10km/h vehicle route through the mall, with Bendigo looking at the change as part of a wider push to deal with empty shops, low foot traffic and CBD revitalisation.
And whether you agree with Bendigo’s decision or not, it is hard not to look at it and think about Mildura.
Because the same debate around Langtree Mall has been happening here on and off for years.
Should cars come back? Should it stay pedestrian only? Would traffic help traders? Would it ruin the feel of the space? Or is the real issue that the mall simply needs more reasons for people to come in, sit down, spend money and stay a while?
Maybe the answer is not just cars or no cars. Maybe the bigger question is: what do we want Langtree Mall to be?
A road on its own will not magically fix a CBD. What brings a space to life is people, and people need a reason to be there.
We saw a glimpse of that over Easter, especially on Good Friday. There was a really positive atmosphere in Langtree Mall. People were around, families were enjoying themselves, there was movement, energy and a bit of life in the heart of town.
That should not be a once-a-year sort of thing, it should be happening more often.
Rather than only debating whether traffic should return, maybe Langtree Mall should be pushed harder as an alfresco dining and entertainment precinct. More outdoor tables. More local food. More live music. More reasons to visit after work, on weekends, or when showing visitors around town.
Imagine specialty nights in the mall with food trucks, live entertainment, local wine, family-friendly activities, pop-up dessert stalls and music on the stage. A place where people can sit outside on a warm Mildura evening and actually enjoy the centre of town.
That sort of regular activity could change the feel of the place, and if council shows it is willing to actively promote the mall, back events, and create a bit of momentum around the space, then more restaurants, cafes and food businesses may be willing to move into the area or establish themselves there.
Businesses are more likely to invest when they can see energy, foot traffic and support.
Mildura already has the climate, the food culture, the visitors and the local appetite for a good night out. Langtree Mall has the space. It just needs a stronger reason for people to use it.
Bendigo’s decision shows that regional cities are still trying to work out what to do with their malls. Some are bringing traffic back. Others are looking at events, hospitality, night-time trade and better public spaces. Bendigo’s own city centre plan includes ideas around food and drink businesses, vacant shop activation, events and improving the public realm.
Mildura should be watching closely, but not just to ask whether cars should come back.
We should be asking how we turn Langtree Mall into a place people actually want to be.
Because when Langtree Mall has people, food, music and atmosphere, it works.
We have already seen it.
Now we just need to see it more often.