Stonnington Council unveils $2m plan to revitalise Chapel St

It’s gone from Melbourne’s shopping mecca to a struggling crime-ridden strip, but now Stonnington Council is taking inspiration from New York as it tries to return Chapel St to its former glory.

Chapel St is set for a much-needed spruce up as part of a $2m package from Stonnington City Council to improve safety and attract more shoppers to the struggling shopping and dining strip.

The plan includes more cleaning, graffiti removal, cracking down on public drinking, investigating better lighting and upgrading benches and other infrastructure.

A Community Safety and Chapel Street Taskforce will also be established to work with Victoria Police and state agencies involved in housing and health to improve safety in the precinct.

It comes after years of the street becoming increasingly run down and an increasing number of crime in the area including the killing of Ruka Carlson on Chapel St over Easter.

Police at the scene after Ruka Carlson was killed on Chapel St. Picture: David Crosling

House of Reverence owner Jason Redlich said the council’s plan was “a great start” but it would take time to turn around Chapel Street’s image.

“What’s being proposed is exactly what needs to happen,’ he said.

“We need to make sure Chapel Street looks clean and feels safe because until that happens shoppers will stay away.

“Unfortunately Chapel Street has really declined. It’s gone from Melbourne’s shopping mecca to a bit of hell hole.”

Mr Redlich said further work was needed to address homelessness and drug use in the area.

“There are really severe problems here on Chapel Street and the people who are sleeping rough and addicted to drugs need proper help and support,” he said.

Traders say Chapel St has really declined. Picture: Grace Frost

“Having them sleeping in shop doorways and purchasing drugs out in the open isn’t good for them and it isn’t good for any of the small businesses here on Chapel Street.”

Stonnington Deputy Mayor Tom Humphries said the council had listened to the local community’s calls for more investment in the iconic shopping and dining strip.

“Chapel Street was great, and it can be returned to its former glory by focusing on improving amenity and increasing safety,” he said.

“This new allocation of funding will look to improve the quality of the street above the current cleaning, amenity and maintenance schedule.”

Mr Humphries said the council was taking inspiration from controversial former New York Mayor and Trump loyalist Rudy Giuliani.

“Stonnington can improve the amenity and in partnership with Victoria Police we can work to improve safety,” he said.

“This model worked for Rudy in New York.”

The plan also includes consolidating library services at Prahran Town Hall and encouraging more use of the Prahran Square.