Every Place Has a Story

Montrose has many stories. Stories of people who built homes, established community groups, created places to gather, and shaped the character of the township over generations. Stories of resilience, generosity, belonging and change. At its heart, Montrose is a story of people who looked at what was possible and took action to help bring it to life.

Now we have an opportunity to add our own chapter. Not by trying to predict the future, but by imagining the possibilities, asking questions, and exploring what we might create together.

Over the coming months, we’ll be inviting people of all ages to reflect on where we’ve been, notice where we are today, and explore what Montrose could become.

There are no right answers. No special expertise required. Just your experience, your perspective and your ideas.

Because no one knows Montrose quite like the people who live, work, learn, volunteer and play here.

Everything Around Us Today Was Once Somebody’s Idea

Many of the things we value most about Montrose didn’t always exist. The places where people gather, the projects that strengthen our community, the traditions we share and the spaces that bring people together all began as ideas in someone’s mind.

Someone noticed an opportunity. Someone imagined something better. Someone decided it was worth trying.

Over time, those ideas became part of the story of Montrose.

The Community Plan gives us an opportunity to do the same. Together, we can explore what matters most to our community, identify opportunities for the future, and create a shared picture of what we’d like the next chapter of Montrose to become.

A Different Kind of Community Conversation

Many planning processes begin by asking what’s wrong. We’re choosing to begin somewhere else.

Some activities will invite us to look back. Some will encourage us to notice the present. Others will challenge us to imagine possibilities that don’t yet exist.

Whether you’ve lived in Montrose your whole life or only recently arrived, your perspective has a place in the conversation. Together, we’ll create a richer picture of what matters to this community and what the next chapter of Montrose could become.

Three Questions Will Guide Our Community Conversation

Between August and October, we’ll be inviting people across Montrose to reflect, imagine and contribute ideas for the future of our community. You’ll see these questions appearing in lots of different places and activities throughout the engagement period.

Whether you’re completing a postcard, joining a conversation, participating in a Wonder Walk, contributing a creative project or stepping into the Time Machine, these questions will help guide the conversation.

Simple questions. Big possibilities.

A few sparks to get you imagining what the Montrose of 2040 could hold…

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From Conversation to Community Plan

Every conversation, postcard, creative contribution, survey response, Wonder Walk, mapping activity and Time Machine experience will help build a shared picture of what matters most to the people of Montrose. Here’s how those contributions will help shape the Community Plan.

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Ways to Participate

There isn’t one right way to contribute. Some people prefer to answer a question and move on. Others enjoy a longer conversation. Some express their ideas through creativity, while others like to explore places, stories and possibilities alongside others.

Whether you have a few minutes or a few hours, there are many ways to add your chapter to the story of Montrose.

For Community Groups, Schools, Services and Organisations

The future of Montrose will be shaped by many voices, perspectives and experiences. Schools, early learning services, sporting clubs, community groups, businesses, volunteer organisations, faith communities, aged care providers and local services all have a chapter to add.

Rather than asking people to come to us, we’ll often bring the conversation to where people already gather. Together, we can create an experience that suits your people, your setting and your schedule.

Whether you’d like to host a conversation, participate in the Time Machine, contribute to the Time Capsule, explore intergenerational storytelling, take part in a Wonder Walk or try something entirely different, we’d love to talk.

Because every perspective helps us better understand what matters to this community and what we might create together.