Ms THEOPHANOUS (Northcote): My question is to the Minister for Small Business. I ask: what is the government doing to support the revival of our local economies in the inner north? We have some very special destination precincts in my patch, including our vibrant and eclectic High Street, Northcote. Our traders have been wonderfully creative in their efforts to reboot our economy. On High Street they have collectively rebranded as ‘Northcote Rise’. They have been putting on events, like a fantastic neon art installation, and they have produced curated themed walking tours down our shopping strips. You can choose from themes like bars and live music, fashion runs or brunch spots. Local initiatives like this are immensely powerful. Many traders have also been scoping out the possibility of hosting street festivals, concerts and other family-friendly events that showcase our local food, music, arts and crafts. Northcote is a cultural and creative hub. As we look to ways to stimulate our economy in some of our hardest-hit precincts, I am looking forward to hearing more about how we can make the most of our strengths in the inner north.
