Thriving PlacesTransforming vacant spaces into vibrant placesDIRECTOR, SARAH POOLE – co-founder Active Spaces in Darebin

About Thriving PlacesThriving 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 achieved for your organisation, your community and the local economy?BENEFITSThriving 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 shopso stimulate other businesses in the area by attracting new customerso encourage favourable feedback from the local communityo provide opportunities for creative businesses to trial their business idea without long term commitmento increase the number of local creative businesses and re-kindle the local ‘crafters’ economyo 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 contactSarah Poole: