Unique Coburg...
What do you love about Coburg and what makes it unique as a place to live in Melbourne?
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bobd Comment 1 3 May 2009, 5:47 PM
In no particular order...
1. The ethnic diversity on the street
2. The ethnic diversity of the food
3. The quality of the fresh produce
4. Sydney Road's 19th century facades
5. The outdoor eating
6. The location of the library
Coburger Comment 1.1 6 May 2009, 6:11 PM
Location of the library is great - but would love to see the building improved and expanded!
Leslie Comment 1.1.1 15 May 2009, 9:24 AM
Remember that it's only there because it's an old Safeway store and Safeway built a new store (what is now the second Coles). Thankfully the old old Council had the wisdom to see the potential.
prideandprejudice Comment 2 4 May 2009, 10:02 AM
Don't force out the existing businesses to make Coburg a yuppie haven. I like Coburg because the streets are filled with colour and diversity. More places for the old people to sit outside in the sun and talk would be good.
Enemy of greedy developers Comment 2.1 19 May 2009, 3:47 PM
Rest assure the yuppies will come and live in the Hamton development of 520 apartments on the old Coburg High School site
Leslie Comment 2.1.1 20 May 2009, 2:17 PM
Coburg High plus Pentridge (which includes the old Newlands High School don't forget) plus Kodak equals Coburg Yuppiedom. Heaven help us. There goes the Coburg we love (loved!!). What the hell is our Council doing to us? Now of course they will blame the State Government but we know who started it all.
CazK Comment 2.2 26 May 2009, 7:03 PM
Not only old people like to sit out in the sun, parks and walking tracks promote community health and interaction which coburg residents lack.
snoter Comment 2.3 29 May 2009, 10:48 PM
More seating for everyone old and young alike, and the streets filled with colour and diversity but not all the $2.00 dollar and trashy shops. We need some book shops and a video shop are just some of the things Coburg doesnt have.
ilovecoburg Comment 3 6 May 2009, 5:03 PM
Victoria Mall. It's full of life and activity.
The community services and facilities dotted around central Coburg. They cater to all interests and needs. These services cannot be pushed out as this is what makes Coburg such an accessible place. People have everything they need at hand.
coburg76 Comment 3.1 6 May 2009, 5:18 PM
I think the pigeons should go. Messy.
Leslie Comment 3.1.1 15 May 2009, 9:26 AM
Flying rats!!
holgate Comment 3.1.2 22 May 2009, 10:29 AM
Yes, I think the pigeons should be removed - they are very messy, cause a health hazard and make Victoria Mall very unattractive.
Coburger Comment 4 6 May 2009, 6:10 PM
Coburg is truly 'multicultural' - it's quite unlike any otehr suburb I've visited in Melbourne. It has history and beautiful buildings which should be preserved and put to good use. I just hope that any development doesn't push out these traditions and make the suburb bland and faceless - it should always be a place for 'Coburgians' (think what St Kilda is now like!).
Jon Comment 5 7 May 2009, 8:01 PM
Coburg's ethnic diversity is one of it great attractions. It would be sad for that diversity to be lost through development that did not consider it and how to support diversity. Coburg's mix of ages from young children to aged population being able to mix on the streets is a great thing for all and one of the attractions of Victoria Mall. Over development might ruin this unique aspect of Coburg ( I haven't seen this in many other suburbs).
lisa Comment 6 11 May 2009, 10:29 AM
The ethnic diversity and range of different ages living in the suburb - from oldies to hipsters.
The diversity of housing types and some beautiful old facades on Sydney Road and throughout the suburb.
Proximity to city and generally decent bike links (Upfield bike path).
Improvements to Victoria Mall has much improved the amenity of that Sydney Road area.
Leslie Comment 7 15 May 2009, 9:21 AM
Whatever you do don't let the area become another Pentridge so-called Village. We do not need nor want another yuppiedom. Retain the warmth of the diversity. Remember the old Nina nd Fredrick song "Little boxes made of ticky tacky and they all look just the same"?!
Enemy of greedy developers Comment 7.1 19 May 2009, 9:25 AM
"ticky tacky boxes" check out the 520 apartmetns Hamton want to build on the old OCburg High School site for an idea of what is coming
mairi Comment 8 18 May 2009, 4:34 PM
1.I love that it is not like Richmond where I used to live.
2. People still have detached houses with gardens and trees.
3.The old housing and shops have not been knocked down or ruined yet.
4. Friendly people from a broad range of cultures and backgrounds.
5. Affordable fresh food and dining out.
6.You can see the sky from anywhere, unlike the tunnels forming in the inner city.
7. Good public transport 'though trams are hemmed in by cars.
8. Great parking in shopping area.
9. Progressive Council with good civic values - not out for the dollar number 1 interest.
10. Merri Creek/Edgars Creek parklands are terrific. More wild spaces needed.
1.I love that it is not like Richmond where I used to live.2. People still have detached houses with gardens and trees.3.The old housing and shops have not been knocked down or ruined yet.4. Friendly people from a broad range of cultures and backgrounds.5. Affordable fresh food and dining out.6.You can
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CazK Comment 8.1 26 May 2009, 7:08 PM
Merri creek is a gem and the parkland around it a great surprise to visitors to the area, i agree we need to protect and enhance these areas. A cleanout of the creek in places wouldnt go astray.
Coburgian Comment 9 18 May 2009, 5:29 PM
I think one of the major assets in living in Coburg is access. We enjoy having easy access to the the city compared with many other suburbs. We enjoy having easy access to airports and freeways. We have easy access to local and major shopping centres compared to many other suburbs. We have easy access to our libraries, parks and community services. That is, we have easy access to all that, NOW. Whatever planning changes we make, must also take into account of that access for the next 50 - 100 years. Short sighted or fluffy, feel good, spur of the moment ideas always come at a cost that our children would have to bear.
I think one of the major assets in living in Coburg is access. We enjoy having easy access to the the city compared with many other suburbs. We enjoy having easy access to airports and freeways. We have easy access to local and major shopping centres compared to many other suburbs. We have easy access
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thepobson Comment 10 18 May 2009, 7:16 PM
I love Coburg for it's amazing diversity of people, food, shops, parks & open space. The central shopping strip is like a regional centre with everything you need, allowing residents to shop, live and socialize locally. The many migrant communities add an incredible richness to Coburg, making it a unique and wonderful place to live.
socjus Comment 11 18 May 2009, 10:12 PM
Victoria Mall - please don't gouge out the heart - it has real character and serves as the social hub. Coburg doesn't need it's natural community centre to be made safe for chainstore shopping
Enemy of greedy developers Comment 12 19 May 2009, 9:13 AM
I love City Oval but cant kick the footy with my kids on it - why is there a fence excluding access for ratepayers??
Connolly Comment 13 19 May 2009, 2:34 PM
hi, I love Coburg Olympic Pool and had a great time this summer at the pool with family , friends and neighbours. This must be one of the nicest pools in Melbourne, lots of grass to sit on, shady trees, bbq...room for the kids to play with a ball. This pool is such a community asset!
Powerw1 Comment 14 20 May 2009, 9:18 AM
I have recently moved into Coburg and there are some things that I like and other areas of improvement....
Likes
1. Public transport(although a more regular train service during peak hours would be good).
2. Merri Creek and Edgars Park
3. Coburg Lake - More picni facilites would be nice here
4. Heritage home and builings that add character to the landscape - These must be protected
5. Coburg Oval - but why has the grandstand not been repair since the fire over ten years ago?
6. The character of our suburb and it's residents are truely unique to Melbourne
What can be improved
1. Lack of quality secondary education options with good facilities. Have existing schools got got capacity to cater for the thousands of extra people that will be moving into the suburb? Why did we allow Pentride to give St Paul's such a difficult time to expand to meet increasing demand? Where are all of the familes moving into the Kodak site going to send their children?
2. Many small food premises do not display their Food Accreditation sticker. I am happy to support my local restaurants but only if they display this sticker (Whitehorse city council does this really well with their 4 A4 sized accreditation certificate that must be displayed on the shop front, these also highlights a star rating out of 5 for cleanliness).
3. We need to get rid of the pigeons from Victoria Mall, there are dropping everwhere.
4. Council needs to improve rubbish removal and graffiti removal (i.e. adopt City of Casey 24 hour graffitti removal service)
5. Improved diversity of shops. There are too many discount stores and not enough shops that sell high quality merchandise and clothing. I hate having to go to Northland, Doncaster and Airport West to get simple items that are not available in Coburg.
6. Establishing a performing arts precint that is available to a number of comunity groups (Similar to the Darebin centre)
7. Establishing a community sports precinct centred around
What I fear
1. Over development will lead to more taffic
2. Too many concrete high rise buildings with no character
3. Overcrowding of existing schools and lack of secondary options (especially for boys) will not be addressed.
I have recently moved into Coburg and there are some things that I like and other areas of improvement....Likes1. Public transport(although a more regular train service during peak hours would be good).2. Merri Creek and Edgars Park3. Coburg Lake - More picni facilites would be nice here4. Heritage home
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Anthony Comment 15 20 May 2009, 11:48 AM
I enjoy Coburg - living just over the border I come there from Brunswick frequently. Essentially it just needs a tidy-up. In no particular order.
1. Put the power lines underground as far as possible.
2. Clean off graffiti immediately it appears.
3. Clean the streets and discourage littering.
4. clean up the car park areas. Perhaps put in a two storey car park on the supermarket side - this would give more area, look a little better and enable the supermakets and other shops to be moved to the front of the car park.
5. Don't "yuppify" Coburg by closing it off and making it difficult to access by those who can't walk or cycle - particularly older people.
6. Discourage inappropriate development of high-density housing. Keep development to a maximum three stories and force developers to include a significant percentage of public housing.
I enjoy Coburg - living just over the border I come there from Brunswick frequently. Essentially it just needs a tidy-up. In no particular order.1. Put the power lines underground as far as possible.2. Clean off graffiti immediately it appears.3. Clean the streets and discourage littering.4. clean up
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Syd Comment 16 21 May 2009, 1:11 PM
I love the strip shopping in Coburg, and really hope there is no indoor mall planned for 2020. I hate the noise and the blandness of these places.
I really like the library being so central and handy to the shops.
Public transport access is very good from Coburg.
I love the lake and all the surrounding bike and walking paths.
I absolutely LOVE the golden man who looks over the lake. Public art really adds a certain ambiance to a place, and I really like the sculptures around the lake.
