As part of the Bellfield Community Hub and Residential Developments, Launch Housing were selected as the successful Community Housing Organisation to develop and operate Bellfield Social Housing in an innovative partnership with Banyule City Council. The housing will provide a new home for up to 58 new tenancies, with basement carparking for residents, a mix of indoor and outdoor shared and bookable spaces to connect with neighbours, as well as a rooftop terrace, all in an innovative and environmentally sustainable building.

Village Well were engaged by Launch Housing to provide stakeholder mapping and engagement to develop a Community Activity Program that aims to contribute to social sustainable outcomes for the project, foster a strong sense of community and help create a welcoming and inclusive neighbourhood more broadly. The purpose of the engagement was to shape a vision for community life at Bellfield Social Housing and garner feedback on the emerging design.

Village Well undertook a collaborative placemaking approach including in-depth local research and site investigations in and around the site. Village Well also led engagement with the local community and key stakeholders, including First Nations groups, Banyule City Council advisory groups and local service providers. The engagement process included online workshops and informal interviews, an online survey, letterbox drops to surrounding residents and a drop-in session.

The process and project overall were successful in raising project awareness, identifying opportunities and aspirations for the design and activation of Bellfield Social Housing, and establishing a positive rapport with local service providers and the local community. The Community Activity Plan will inform the ongoing design and activation of Bellfield Social Housing.