1. Thriving Places
Transforming vacant spaces into vibrant places
DIRECTOR, SARAH POOLE – co-founder Active Spaces in Darebin
About ThrivingPlaces
Thriving Places is a new business run by Sarah Poole which works with Local Government Agencies
and organisations to establish an 'activation' Program for your specific street, town or suburb which may
be suffering from an overabundance of vacant spaces and a growing need for more thriving places.
Having developed and established the Active Spaces in Darebin Program with the Economic
Development Unit at the City of Darebin over the last three years, Sarah Poole is now eager to work with
your organisation to 'kick start' a program tailored to suit your specific goals, challenges, activation
history, stakeholders and community profile.
Sarah Poole has had over 20 years’ experience working within the local government sector in arts and
culture; marketing; community development and economic development.
What can be achievedfor your organisation, your community and the local
economy?
BENEFITS
Thriving Places will work with property owners and real estate agents to utilise vacant properties, making
them available to creative businesses. This will:
o transform and bring rent to owners of vacant shops
o stimulate other businesses in the area by attracting new customers
o encourage favourable feedback from the local community
o provide opportunities for creative businesses to trial their business idea without long term commitment
o increase the number of local creative businesses and re-kindle the local ‘crafters’ economy
o generate jobs and pathways to jobs
BACKGROUND - The Active Spaces In Darebin Program was developed by Darebin Council to:
 Reduce the number of vacant shops
 Address complaints about declining amenity, increased graffiti, posters and vandalism.
 Provide sustainable business opportunities for creatives and entrepreneurs.
 Open communication channels between property owners and real estate agents.
 Develop the ‘made in Darebin’ concept.
Achievements after three years:
 19 pop ups (short term leases) were facilitated. Nine signed long term leases after finding that they
were sustainable.
 $233,760 in rent was generated.
 72 jobs were created.
 National recognition was received from peak industry bodies including Main Street Australia, Economic
Development Australia and LGPro.
Would you like to know more?
If you would like to discuss further please contact
Sarah Poole: