Op shop fights to bring life back to troubled Labuan Square

A community organisation is looking to help revitalise a troubled shopping precinct in Norlane with an op shop.

Carol Keti, Caroline Bryson, Simon Reeves and Emma Delladio in the opportunity xhop in Labuan Square, Norlane. Picture: Brad Fleet

A community initiative aiming to bring life back to a notoriously troubled Norlane shopping precinct is celebrating six months of its new op shop.

The Good Neighbourhood Project, previously Norlane Community Initiatives, is on a mission to bring Labuan Square shopping centre back to life.

The organisation also has a community cafe in the square that opened in 2023, The Lab Square Commons, and a newly opened craft store The Pink Elephant Crafts nearby.

Co-managing director of The Good Neighbourhood Project, Simon Reeves, said the op shop came out of conversations with locals at the cafe who highlighted the need.

“It’s made a huge difference,” he said.

“More people are coming to the cafe, to the op shop, and to the square now, and they’re feeling safe to do so.”

Mr Reeves said the op shop was now thriving thanks to the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of the community.

He said Labuan Square had been a cornerstone of the Norlane community since 1954, and the op shop was part of the broader effort to bring life back to the space.

“The op shop isn’t just about shopping — it’s about creating a safe, welcoming space where residents can connect, support one another, and contribute to revitalising Labuan Square,” he said.

“It’s proof that local action can drive meaningful change.”

Upgrades to revitalise Norlane’s Labuan Square Shopping Centre were completed in 2023, following a detailed community consultation report run by the Good Neighbourhood Project in 2020 to help inform the design.

The $691,000 project was a partnership between the City of Greater Geelong and state government, hoping to revive the battling public space.

This report highlighted the need to reactivate the square as a vibrant social and economic hub.

The op shop was recently awarded a grant from Bendigo Bank to help its fit-out.

The cafe, op-shop, and craft shop are open Tuesday through Thursday, 10am to 2pm.

Originally published as Op shop fights to bring life back to troubled Labuan Square