SOUTH MELBOURNE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
The South Melbourne Business Association (SMBA), working in conjunction with Port Phillip City Council, is responsible for managing and marketing the South Melbourne Activity Centre.
Key roles of the SMBA include:
Vision for the Future
SMBA is driven to develop the South Melbourne Business Precinct as the pre-eminent shopping, business and community centre in the City of Port Phillip and as one of the significant traditional activity centres in Melbourne.
The vision envisages a place that:
Key roles of the SMBA include:
- Marketing the South Melbourne Precinct
- Liaising with businesses and sharing relevant information as well as assisting with localized problems
- Working with the City of Port Phillip Council on issues relating to street maintenance, planning, parking and local laws
- Maintaining close relationships with property developers and other key stakeholders as well as State Government and public transport operators
Vision for the Future
SMBA is driven to develop the South Melbourne Business Precinct as the pre-eminent shopping, business and community centre in the City of Port Phillip and as one of the significant traditional activity centres in Melbourne.
The vision envisages a place that:
- has a distinctive sense of identity
- maintains its heritage feel
- is diverse
- is friendly and relaxed to work in, shop and visit
- has an active street life with more people staying longer in the centre
- has interesting boutique style shops
- has a strong range of professional and business services
- is a hub for the arts scene
- offers memorable lifestyle experiences
- has an active business group working for the interests of the whole centre
THE CURRENT COMMITTEE:
- President - Sam Tresise
(The George Hotel) - Vice President - Scott Lewis
(Beggar Man Thief) - Secretary - Marc Godfrey
(Beggar Man Thief) - Carolyn Mee
(Freestyle Espresso) - Pamela Bucca
(CheekyChinos) - Andrew Scawen
(Mitchell McCabe) - Ed Spiden
(Exec Travel) - Tony Harrison
(Crystal Palace Lighting)
The SMBA Committee consists of representatives ranging from local business and property owners, to retail and commercial interests, including other members from the South Melbourne Precinct.
USEFUL CONTACTS FOR SMBA
Please feel free to call the committee members for any of the following enquiries:
- Member Co-ordinater and What's On listings:
Email: hello@southmelbourne.com - Management Issues:
Rosa Nguyen / Coordinator
C/- 174 Cecil Street
South Melbourne 3205
Tel: 03 9694 9200
rosa@southmelbourne.com
THE SOUTH MELBOURNE OF TODAY IS A FAR CRY FROM THE AREA'S ORIGINS AS AN INDUSTRIAL EPICENTER
Lining its historic streets and laneways, visitors can enjoy an assortment of stores ranging from fashion boutiques, home wares and interior design, to restaurants, cafes and bars that offer some of the best wining and dining experiences in Melbourne. The area's high level of amenities, coupled with its close vicinity to both the CBD and bayside makes South Melbourne an understandably popular destination.
Founded in 1851, the end of the 19th century was a particularly tough and defining moment for South Melbourne. Whilst the area had enjoyed a long period of prosperity, the Australian economic market dropped quicker than a hot Dim Sim out of the hand. Unlike the forgiving fortunes of a "five second rule", the economic Depression continued and the area suffered a major downturn in trade which crippled the precinct's industry. The tough economic climate forced many of South Melbourne's factories and warehouses to simply close their doors, and as the working population dwindled so too did business on Clarendon Street.
A rejuvenated South Melbourne had swung and jived back to life by 1930 with an assortment of shopping emporiums, clothing stores, banks and grocers servicing busy Clarendon Street. As the popular Port Phillip Bay beachside developed, the swimming costumes got smaller and the people deep fried for longer under our southern sun. Atop of Emerald Hill, South Melbourne's close proximity to the ocean and CBD was attracting new wealth to the area.
By mid-1990 the South Melbourne of today had begun to take form. The old warehouses and factories had long been vacated and were now occupied by an increasing number of creative businesses, drawing a new breed of professional that added to South Melbourne's rich tapestry. The retail stretches off Clarendon Street blossomed, side-walk cafes teemed with pilgrims paying homage to lattes and South Melbourne's famed al fresco dining emerged, and the legend of the South Melbourne Dim Sim was born.
Founded in 1851, the end of the 19th century was a particularly tough and defining moment for South Melbourne. Whilst the area had enjoyed a long period of prosperity, the Australian economic market dropped quicker than a hot Dim Sim out of the hand. Unlike the forgiving fortunes of a "five second rule", the economic Depression continued and the area suffered a major downturn in trade which crippled the precinct's industry. The tough economic climate forced many of South Melbourne's factories and warehouses to simply close their doors, and as the working population dwindled so too did business on Clarendon Street.
A rejuvenated South Melbourne had swung and jived back to life by 1930 with an assortment of shopping emporiums, clothing stores, banks and grocers servicing busy Clarendon Street. As the popular Port Phillip Bay beachside developed, the swimming costumes got smaller and the people deep fried for longer under our southern sun. Atop of Emerald Hill, South Melbourne's close proximity to the ocean and CBD was attracting new wealth to the area.
By mid-1990 the South Melbourne of today had begun to take form. The old warehouses and factories had long been vacated and were now occupied by an increasing number of creative businesses, drawing a new breed of professional that added to South Melbourne's rich tapestry. The retail stretches off Clarendon Street blossomed, side-walk cafes teemed with pilgrims paying homage to lattes and South Melbourne's famed al fresco dining emerged, and the legend of the South Melbourne Dim Sim was born.