About the project

Eat Street is an exciting and transformative project for Bentleigh, planned for the area currently occupied by the rotunda and plaza to the south of Centre Road (along Vickery Street to the north and the interjoining section of Centre Road).  The project was identified as a priority projects to activate the commercial precinct through the Bentleigh Structure Plan.

With the support of our State Government partners, the project involves re-imagining these areas as public space that supports socialising, shopping, outdoor dining and community activities. Drawing on emerging culture in Bentleigh, Eat Street will be a pedestrianised mall area, with outdoor seating, activated by cafes, restaurants and bars.

Key elements of the Eat Street project include: 

• Redesigning and renewing the Bentleigh rotunda.
• Extending the current plaza space from the rotunda, over Centre Road to Vickery Street.
• Linking this extended space with the area behind the shops, envisaged as future plaza space.
• Relocating the pedestrian crossing over Centre road to align with the rotunda and the entry to Vickery Street, creating a strong north-south connection to the Activity Centre.

The area will be beautified by planting and rain gardens. Adjacent land uses, including cafes and restaurants, that currently line both sides of this section of Centre Road and the corner of Vickery Street will be encouraged to spill into the plaza areas.

What's happening now?

Following engagement with the community on ideas and concept designs, finalised detailed design work has been completed, and construction has begun.

To ensure that impact on the trader and wider community is minimised, construction is occurring in two stages.

Stage 1: Completed 9 November 2022

Stage 2: Works have been deferred due to cost escalations since its original design in 2019 and clashes with gas services upgrade works. The scope of the works will be reviewed as part of the delivery of the Bentleigh Structure Plan.

Project partners

This project is partly funded by the Victorian Government’s $50 million Local Parks Program.

Find out more: www.environment.vic.gov.au/suburban-parks